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Danny Levy At Whitechapel Bell Foundry

October 28, 2020
by the gentle author

The Bell Foundry Public Inquiry resumes at 10am today for the final day, including summing-up, with live-tweeting at @savethewbf.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INQUIRY

Continuing in the long tradition of artists at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, here are Danny Levy’s drawings from the eighties.

“In 1986, after graduating from the Royal College of Art, I was teaching at Falmouth School of Art and continuing with my own work. At the time, I was particularly interested in industrial scenes. So I knocked on the door of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry to ask if I could come in and draw. Very kindly, they gave me free range to wander around and make drawings. I was in there for a week and the feeling of history and the atmosphere was exciting and intense.”

Danny Levy

The Arc Welder

The Grinding Wheel

The Welder

Tuning the Bell

Tuning the Bell

Three men on a bench grinder

Drawings copyright © Danny Levy

You may also like to take a look at

Dorothy Rendell at Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Pearl Binder at Whitechapel Bell Foundry

John Claridge at Whitechapel Bell Foundry

5 Responses leave one →
  1. Jill Wilson permalink
    October 28, 2020

    These are very powerful images of ‘real’ bell founding happening – you can imagine the noises and smells, and feel the heat.

    Let’s hope there will be more real foundry work happening at the Bell Foundry soon…

  2. Sharon permalink
    October 28, 2020

    Art reflecting art. The history and existence of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry must not be lost. Very
    best of luck and wishing every success in this crucial campaign.

  3. October 28, 2020

    These drawings take us right inside the action. Evocative, descriptive, narrative, and a fantastic way to celebrate and uplift the Foundry.

    I hope your efforts are successful, and thanks for shining a light.
    Onward and upward!

  4. October 28, 2020

    Love these potent images of history taking place….. let’s all hope the Foundry survives so that another generation of craftsmen and women can carry on making history.
    These images would make lovely celebratory postcards …….keeping fingers crossed.

  5. February 4, 2021

    I’m searching for this kind of article. Thanks for the photos, Especially Three men on a bench grinder, The Welder & The Grinding Wheel.
    I love these kinds of tools.
    Would like to share it with my friends!

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