Art on the River: A Gallery on a Canal Boat
We speak to the captain of the gallery
Canal Boat Contemporary is a floating, and therefore moving, art gallery that you can find on Regent’s Canal. We spoke to Pushka, the captain of the gallery (a title we are seriously jealous of), about how it came to be and the types of exhibitions it hosts.
How did the idea of a gallery on the outside of a canal boat come about?
The idea for a floating gallery originated from The Canal Boat Art Fair, which I organised by bringing together six other boat-dwelling artists to moor side by side and host a group show. My boat became the main exhibition space, fitted out with spotlights, and went on to host a further three exhibitions.
The spark for the cabinet [the space visitors can view from outside] specifically came from the Hackney sharks; these giant fibreglass shark sculptures emerging from the canal in Haggerston. I noticed how many people stopped to take photos. That was the moment I realised: the boat is in a prime position to show art to hundreds of people a day. Walkers, joggers, cyclists, tourists - people out exploring. Why not offer them art while they’re at it?
I found an old Post Office noticeboard on eBay that happened to fit between the windows of my boat with just half a centimetre to spare - it felt meant to be. I had it shipped from Sheffield, bolted it to the side, and painted the inside white; Canal Boat Contemporary was born.
Beneath the paywall:
A taste of some of the exhibitions - past and upcoming
People’s reactions to art on a canal boat
More photos of previous exhibitions
