Map of London that took a decade to draw goes on display

An artist has hand drawn a map of the capital’s landmarks and historic moments in a work that took over a decade to create.

The map, featuring ‘major epochs in the history of London’ such as the 2008 financial crash and the 7/7 bombings, and is now on display in Notting Hill.

Artist Gareth Wood began drawing maps around 12 years ago, inspired by his time as a Scout.

He said: “I was always a natural explorer as a young boy and that’s kind of where it’s come from.

“Ever since then I’ve had a big desire to go exploring in urban places. The highlights of London piece took about 10 years to make.

“I wasn’t drawing every day for 10 years obviously, but that’s what makes it quite fascinating because there’s so much in there - major epochs in the history of London.

“Like with any map there are many layers of information. There are some interesting pokes at obesity, where you’ve got the hospital in front of the Shard, and a chap who’s getting fatter and fatter and fatter, with a monster in his stomach.

Wood added that besides being a creative inspiration, London is also where he feels most at home.

He said: “It’s been my back garden as a child – I’d sneak up here as a young boy – and I don’t really think anywhere would compete with somewhere I feel so close to.

“It’d be a tall order for another place in England to be as enjoyable as London.”