Overview

The Bow Gamelan Ensemble was a trio of artists based in Bow, London, consisting of Anne Bean, Paul Burwell (1949–2007), and Richard Wilson. They started collaborating in the late 1970s while working in studios at Butlers Wharf, near Tower Bridge on the Thames.  Bow Gamelan Ensemble officially formed in 1983 and continued to 1990.

Combining sculpture, performance art, soundmaking and light displays, the ensemble created immersive, theatrical musical experiences in intimate gallery spaces, as well as site-specific performances along waterways and rivers. Their instruments were often made from unconventional materials, including scrap metal, explosives, barges, and electric motors. Notable performances included In C+Air (1986), Offshore Rig (1987), Damned Near Run Thing (1988) and The Navigators (1989).

The group gained international recognition and media attention, earning the Time Out Performance Award in 1988. The award described their work as: “Adventures in music, sculpture, and performance that dazzle the eyes, astonish the ears, and stimulate the imagination of viewers with an unorthodox magic.”

What the collection holds 

The collection includes sketches, designs and artwork, schedules, cost sheets and audio-visual recordings for Bow Gamelan Ensemble performances, as well as photographs, correspondence, press cuttings and reviews.

The collection is not fully catalogued, but has been repackaged and box listed.  Please contact us for further information regarding its contents and access.  

Further information 

• Bow Gamelan Ensemble website features digitised drawings, press, letters and other documents, as well as films relating to Bow Gamelan Ensemble projects.
• Anne Bean website
• Richard Wilson website
• Bow Gamelan Ensemble, Great Noises that Fill the Air, CD and digital album
• Bow Gamelan Ensemble also feature in the National Review of Live Art Archive and Record of Live Art Practice held at the Theatre Collection.