British artist Tarka Kings has created a compelling series of intimate drawings that explore the quiet, contemplative moments surrounding Britain's beloved lido swimming culture. Her recent solo exhibition "Mornings at the Lido" at Offer Waterman gallery showcases her masterful use of graphite and colored pencil to render scenes of everyday routines connected to outdoor swimming pools built along the country's coastlines.
Lidos represent an iconic British summertime tradition, featuring swimming areas often constructed directly into beaches along the nation's sea coasts. These outdoor pools vary significantly in their design and maintenance - some are more developed facilities with fresh, chlorinated water similar to indoor pools, while others maintain a more natural character, allowing tidal saltwater to flow over low protective walls. This swimming culture connects closely to the increasingly popular pastime of wild swimming, where enthusiasts immerse themselves in natural bodies of water including lakes, rivers, and shorelines.
The social aspect of these swimming activities provides significant mental and physical health benefits for participants, leading to the growing popularity of wild swimming clubs across Britain. For Kings, this timeless recreational tradition serves as the foundation for her series of deeply personal and observational artworks that capture transitional moments in swimmers' daily routines.
Kings' exhibition highlights her exceptional skill in using graphite and colored pencil to create quiet, pensive compositions that resonate with viewers through their relatability. Her subjects range from people getting dressed in changing rooms to individuals sitting at cafes along the Serpentine lake in London's Hyde Park, which features its own historic lido. The artist focuses on capturing everyday yet significant transitional moments that exist between interior and exterior spaces, between action and stillness, and between community interaction and personal solitude.
Since 2008, Kings has dedicated her artistic practice almost exclusively to working with graphite and colored pencil, developing a distinctive style that combines technical precision with emotional depth. Her creative process draws from personal experience, supplemented by work with models and photographic references. The artist's daily swimming routine and her studio's view overlooking the River Thames provide constant inspiration for her water-themed compositions.
According to the gallery, Kings' relationship with water and its dynamic presence within London serves as an integral element of her artistic work. Her pieces include works such as "The Changing Room III" (2025), created with graphite and colored pencil on Arches paper measuring 34.5 x 28.5 centimeters, and "Swans" (2024), executed in graphite and colored pencil on gesso panel in a 26 x 26 centimeter format.
Other notable works in the exhibition include "Bath Mat II" (2024), measuring 41 x 51 centimeters on gesso panel, "By the Lake" (2025), a larger piece at 67 x 102 centimeters on Arches paper, "Red Flag" (2025), sized at 66 x 95 centimeters on Arches paper, and "The Changing Room IV" (2025), matching the dimensions of the third piece in the series at 34.5 x 28.5 centimeters on Arches paper.
All artwork photography has been professionally documented by Matthew Hollow and Prudence Cuming Associates, with images shared courtesy of the artist and Offer Waterman gallery. The exhibition demonstrates Kings' ability to find profound beauty and meaning in the simple, universal experiences surrounding water recreation and the rituals that accompany these cherished British traditions.
