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.

On 19 June, Elliot Newton gave a talk on board The Origin boat moored in Kingston Upon Thames. The local naturalist delve into the underwater world of the Thames, and took us on a journey to explore some of the fascinating species that can be found in this vital habitat. Elliot also discussed how the Thames has changed over time and how it has never been more important to protect and connect with the natural world. Elliot works as Co-Founder and Head of Conservation at Citizen Zoo, Founder of Kingston Biodiversity Network, and a Royal Borough of Kingston’s Biodiversity Officer.

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.