exploring the executions

And until its accelerator is pressed. It also brakes when it is released, more akin to a manual petrol car and a feature that essentially lends itself to one-pedal driving.

This was my first experience of renting an electric and proved seamless enough with a full battery supplied on collection. The only minor faff was having to ensure an 80% charge on return of the vehicle, which took about 15 minutes on one of Canary Wharf’s Level -3 Tesla Superchargers. Then it was simple to park up, drop the key in the slot and go about my morning.

Sixt also rents petrol cars and hybrids – still its main area of business – with prices for the same length of hire starting at £32.66 per day for an entry level vehicle. Go to sixt.co.uk for more information

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by Jon Massey

The Museum Of London Docklands on West India Quay is set to host a series of events centred on its ongoing Executions exhibition.

First up is Crime And Punishment: Women Throughout History – a talk in which authors Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Suzie Edge will take a closer look at the social history of women and crime with a particular focus on the female voices featured in Executions. The talk will take place on March 13 at 6.45pm, with tickets costing £10. Entry to the main exhibition is not included.

Then, on March 24, Executions itself will be opening after hours from 7pm-10.15pm complete with pop-up talks, tours and performances of execution ballads by folk music group Alva. There will also be an opportunity to see James Holcome’s film Tyburnia, revisiting the site of the Tyburn Tree – a place of public execution for more than 700 years. Tickets for the after hours event cost £20.

SPECIAL OFFER l Terms and conditions apply. The offer is only valid on visits to Executions on or up to March 31. Only adult tickets are covered and the discount will be applied during the checkout process. The offer applies to max four reduced tickets per customer and there is no cash or credit alternative. Go to museumoflondon.org.uk

Executions runs at the Museum Of London Docklands until April 16. Standard tickets start at £12. Wharf Life readers can get 25% off adult ticket prices, when visiting before April 1 by using promo code Wharf25. Special events listed above are separate to this offer and not subject to the discount.

Scan this code to find out about events and exhibitions at the Museum Of London Docklands

by Jon Massey

You can never run out of things to paint in London,” said Ed J Bucknall. While he doesn’t say so explicitly during our interview, it’s clear the Wapping-based artist has a deep passion for the city around him – a deep connection to and endless fascination with the very fabric of the place.

“A lot of the inspiration for me is derived from the Thames – the changing light and the changing skyline – because London’s being constantly reconfigured,” he said. “My works are almost snapshots to record this decade of London expanding.

“I always carry a sketchbook with me, so I’m often seen locally, sketching and drawing in pubs in winter and outdoors in summer. I do as much of my work as I can on location, including painting.

“I work in pen and ink, watercolour, acrylic and oils on paper, canvas and even marble. I’m self-taught and the nice thing is that I haven’t been moulded to a particular style or technique. I paint what I want to paint and people either like it or not.

“Over time, I’ve learnt techniques that work for me and I take inspiration from generations of amazing artists.”

Originally Ed trained as an architect in Leeds, before moving to London in 2011 and continuing to practise his chosen profession. While drawing was one of the things that first attracted him to architecture, he increasingly found the digital side of his work less satisfying, which prompted a change in direction with the arrival of the pandemic.

“From an early age I’d always painted and drawn for pleasure,” he said. “When I started as an architect, it was all rooms full of drawing boards, but with computer aided design, you hardly see anything like that now.

“I was having some success with gallery shows and selling art alongside my career as an architect and the lockdowns were the catalyst for me to move into making art full-time.

“I started selling paintings at Wapping Docklands Market at Brussels Wharf in 2021 on Saturdays and then, last year, at Canada Water Market in Deal Porter Square on Sundays.

“I was the first non-food trader at the former and that’s now brought in a lot more crafts, which have been very popular. At the same time, I exhibit full

Readers can buy postcards of Ed’s work from as little as £2 with greetings cards starting at £3 and signed prints from £35. Prices for original works vary time at Skylark Galleries on the South Bank. Between those three, it’s been great for exposure and I’ve had a lot of success with ongoing commissions including pub signs and bespoke cards for Greene King to sell in their pubs.

“I’ve also had some of my images appear in worldwide publications. Art has always been my passion, but I never thought I would make ends meet as an artist.

“One of the things that has surprised and encouraged me since going full time is that it’s possible to make a living making art in London.

“Fortunately for me, my work strikes a chord with a whole range of different people – locals who have lived in the area for many years and are delighted to see an artist draw and paint what they see and experience, people moving into the area, some moving out and tourists visiting.

“I think what appeals is that my pieces are quite traditional but they are not just photos. They are my take on whatever I see inspired by a particular view or the light.”

While Ed’s work often features continued on Page 23