Wildways Along the Ching

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A creative investigation of the Ching’s urban ecology. 

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Twenty-three poets, painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, designers, illustrators, land artists, forest school specialists, textile artists, dye and pigment creators, artists who create with light, and artists who include walking at the core of their practice were selected for Wildways with Artists. Each one has a personal connection to the River Ching. 

 

Wildways with Artists began with an Artist Field Study Day, over the following 10 weeks artists have embarked on research expeditions, creative experiments, and investigations with Wildways specialists to develop artworks for an exhibition inspired by the River Ching. This programme supports creatives to have a deeper understanding of this small yet vital river, evolve their creative practice and forge collaborations. This shared endeavour has fostered a creative generosity and peer support between these artists.

 

The resulting collection is as varied as the disciplines in this group. ​The artworks invite you to pause in the beauty, the ecology, the climate crisis, the need for river improvement, and the actions currently happening to achieve this vision. Ultimately the exhibition invites you to join in taking steps for a healthy river to thrive in this town. 

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About Wildways along the Ching

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Wildways along the Ching is an ambitious project underway to enhance river habitats, river health and climate resilience around sections of the River Ching. The Wildways along the Ching team welcome artists to find inspiration in this river and this programme of change. Artist responses may help us envisage what an urban river is, how we live alongside one, how we can be custodians of it and help it to thrive?
 

Wildways along The Ching is one of 26 projects made possible by the Mayor of London’s Green Roots Fund to ensure that the urban ecosystems in our city are thriving habitats for nature longterm. Building on years of determined grassroots eco-activism and robust citizen science monitoring by resident groups including the Ching Action Group and Highams Park Snedders, project partners also include East London Waterworks Park, OrganicLea, TCV, The Hive and Thames21. Together with Waltham Forest Council’s Climate Action, Housing, and Green Spaces teams, these project partners are addressing pollution, flood risk and habitat management for this fragile, natural asset.

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Find our more about the project here: 

https://talk.walthamforest.gov.uk/wildways-along-the-ching