The Origin is the outcome of Ben Judd’s Stanley Picker Fellowship in Art and Design, Kingston University London. The project culminated with an installation at the gallery, a boat on the River Thames and a series of performances, workshops and events.

The fellowship reflected on Britain’s island status, both literal and metaphorical, and how islands shape the communities that live there. The Origin brought together the people surrounding the gallery – from Kingston University students and academics to local networks, charities and residents. Through a series of workshops and conversations, participants collaborated with Judd to define different aspects of an imagined, temporary community – a rehearsal for an alternative future.

Imagining this temporary community felt particularly poignant in the divisive political landscape that the project was first developed in. However, The Origin took on greater significance in 2020 when most people were thrust into social isolation and interactions migrated online. Hope, love, solidarity, care and support are all values central to this temporary community’s identity – but have also manifested in the community spirit of our own islands over the last year.

Through a series of workshops and conversations, participants collaborated with Judd to define different aspects of this imagined, temporary community. A first iteration of the project #TheOriginKingston took place online during the first national lockdown in 2020 – browse their online dialogue here or search for the hashtag #TheOriginKingston on social media. This collaborative project culminated in 2021 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.

A large free-standing structure in Stanley Picker Gallery, built by 121 Collective and Architecture at Kingston School of Art (KSA), acted as a focal point for the community, both imagined and real. The structure contained objects and images related to the project that are used to substantiate the community’s existence and sketch out its history and aspirations.

A boat travelled along the River Thames in Kingston facilitating meetings, workshops and performances throughout June and July 2021. Informed by discussions with Canbury and Riverside Association, an architectural intervention designed by Interior Design (KSA) and 121 Collective was fixed to the boat adapting to the needs and aspirations of local people.