Elephant Atlas

Taking place in London College of Communication’s Upper Gallery, the exhibition features works inspired by one of South London’s most eclectic historic collections, the Cuming Museum Collection.

The seventeen artists and writers involved present photography, illustration, performance, installation, artist film, creative writing and participatory workshops. The exhibition steps away from the traditional ways of presenting museum objects and museum subjects. Instead, each contributor has used ideas raised by the objects and stories, choosing items or aspects which have captured their imaginations. They have presented their choices according to their own artistic methods, mediums, inspirations and practice.

At this moment in the Cuming’s continuing story, the exhibition explores innovative and alternative ways of using these collections which imagines and re-imagines the lives that were lived here before, their preoccupations, beliefs and ways of life. The museum is currently without a permanent public site. However, work goes on to care for its collections and to make them available in a variety of ways, including partnership programmes and projects with local communities.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication, free events and a free 12-page kids’ activity guide by White Wall Yellow Door.

The exhibiting Artists: Pamela Abad Vega, Marcus Boyle, Sarah Butler and Eva Sajovic, Beverley Carruthers, Adam Dant, Lalu Delbracio, Alan Kane, Liam Magee, Steve Martin, Jessie Mclaughlin, Andreas Philippopolous-Mihalopolous, Harold Offeh, Janetka Platun, Sophy Rickett, Paul Tebbs and Xana.

Curated by Judy Aitken and Sophy Rickett.

This exhibition has been funded by Arts Council England, London College of Communication and Southwark Council.

Image credit: Object Actions Choreography – Video Still 10, Harold Offeh, 2018