As part of Ben Judd’s Stanley Picker Fellowship project The Origin, a series of workshops, performances, talks and tours took place at Stanley Picker Gallery, a boat moored in Kingston Upon Thames and online throughout June and July 2021.

Curated by Canbury and Riverside Association (CARA), this day included an art class, a display of lockdown photography and literature, a design competition, and live music for visitors in Canbury Gardens, where the boat will be moored, to enjoy.

11.30am-1.30pm Art Class

An observation-based art class run by teacher Kate Brett.

1.30 – 3pm Lockdown Creativity on Display

A special display of photography and literature made during lockdown.

3 – 4pm Live Music

The Kingston Academy (TKA) Band share their talent with a performance on the boat for all on the riverside to enjoy.

4 – 5pm Riverside Design Competition

Welcoming design competition entries for the revitalisation of the riverside frontage around John Lewis and Kingston Bridge, including a presentation by TKA students and local architects who collaborated on their entry. 

5pm

Presentation of winners of the Lockdown Photography and Lockdown Literature competitions.

5 – 7pm Live Music

More great music for all in Canbury Gardens to enjoy.

Ben Judd’s Stanley Picker Fellowship project The Origin reflects on Britain’s island status, both literal and metaphorical, and how islands shape the communities that live there. The Origin brings together the communities surrounding the Stanley Picker Gallery – from Kingston University students and academics to local networks, charities and residents – and asks them to imagine a classless, stateless, humane society based on common ownership. A temporary community, an experiment in living, a fictional island group. This collaborative project culminates this summer with an installation at the Gallery, a boat on the River Thames and a series of performances, workshops and events – a rehearsal for an alternative future.