The Collection

The Couper Collection exhibits artwork and installations by London artist Max Couper made onboard a fleet of historic Thames barges over the past two decades. Our programme is made up of live events, new artists' exhibitions, discussions, educational collaborations, and ecology.

The Collection includes work shown in 1996 and 1997 at Couper's one-man exhibitions at The Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, The Lehmbruck Museum of sculpture Duisburg, and The Sprengal Museum of modern art Hanover – and work shown in New York and London installations since 1978.

The Collection also has:

• A permanent Museum of First Art, by London artists under the age of eighteen
• Archives of The Couper Collection's Fleeting Opera for the River Thames 2000, performed by The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and Judi Dench;
• The ongoing human rights artworks; The Steel Fulcrum presented in Dusseldorf/Duisburg 1997 and at the European Parliament Brussels 1998, and The Shrinking Beach presented at The National Portrait Gallery, London 2002.

The Collection was opened as a permanent Public Trust on this site in association with Wandsworth Council in 1998, and launched as a registered charity by the UK Home Secretary in 1999. Charity number:1075651

The Collection is staffed by volunteers.

New Layout & Ecology Plans
See Our Plans for more

Battersea Beach   •   Riverside Walk   •   Hester Road   •   London SW11 4AN

News
FIRST ART INTERNATIONAL - Somali refugee children
We are pleased to announce that the Couper Collection has formed an ongoing partnership with WAFUNIF, an official United Nations Peace Messenger, in order to extend our First Art programme into the international arena, as part of an Arts for Peace initiative. The first phase of this will connect to our involvement in the 2008–2012 Cultural Olympiad of the London Olympics and Paralympics. We are currently exhibiting artwork from our launch project of the programme with 8 Somali refugee children aged 6 to 11. This project was completed in association with the Refugee Home School Support Project in Battersea.

Somali artists Ayan Muse, Ifrah Muse and Mohammed Hussein, with their acrylic on canvas artworks currently on display at the Museum of First Art

"First Art International is both timely and crucial to peace. We must prepare the youth of the world for peace building and peace. WAFUNIF welcomes the support of governments and the international civil community in this effort." Dr. Hope White-Davis President of WAFUNIF

HOME CHART ROOM STUDIO BARGE SKY GARDEN INSTALLATIONS FIRST ART BARGE FLEETING OPERA SHRINKING BEACH THE PLOT ANTWERP DUSSELDORF & DUISBURG HANOVER NEW YORK ABOUT US OUR PLANS PATRONS/TRUST HOW TO FIND US HIRE FACILITIES CONTACT

"Any opportunity to be part of Max Couper's waterbourne artwork … I find irresistible. I passionately believe the Thames is underused." Judi Dench Narrator of the Couper Collection Fleeting Opera 2000

"The Couper Collection, London's last remaining fleet of historic Thames barges on their ancient moorings." TimeOut 24 May 2006

 

What's on Open Tuesdays to Fridays 10am to 4pm and by appointment 020 7738 1935 Entrance free. Closed for essential building works from 30 May to 16 June 2009. Permanent Art Collection The Chart Room Barge, Max Couper 1994 First Art Permanent Couper Collection Museum of First Art, by young London artists from local schools. Abstract Farmer, Leilana Bellieni (born 1992) First Art 2008–2012 Painting and Sculpture Exhibition February 6–August 28, 2009 The third of our First Art 2008–2012 series, a childrens' art exhibition and educational project for London schools inspired by the London Olympics & Paralympics and the River Thames. Reunited Rings, by Charlene Russell & Sarah McDonagh