Henrik Knudsen’s series from the foreshore of London’s River Thames was a finalist in the 39th Association of Photographers Awards 2024.
For centuries, ‘mudlarks’ have roamed London’s River Thames foreshore in search of rare treasures and a bit of urban solitude. From being a source of income for an unfortunate few, the activity now provides a valuable source of information about the city’s historic past. Artefacts are found and collected daily by both dedicated novices and knowledgeable experts who comb the foreshore at low tide.
There is a community amongst mudlarks. Most are happy to share information and inside knowledge but are also a little secretive about their most valued and prosperous hunting grounds. These individual characters are part of the history of the Thames.
As the mercurial and ever-changing Thames reacts to the tides, it reveals itself in different guises every day. Each ebb and flow provides a little more information about its history.
