New Wooabbeleri
2010
‘There was a good deal of difference in the type of names sent to the Mercury and the Times. Many of the former were almost surrealist connotations, with the locality not being readily apparent. Blumgeston, Beviontown, Petrograda and the Bamboo Estate were some of them. The really odd one on the Times list was New Wooabbeleri. The word Thames was included in 53 suggestions.’
Un-published manuscript on the history of Thamesmead. Author unknown.
At the beginning of 2010 Stuart Whipps spent three months as artists in Residence at Focal Point gallery in Southend-On-Sea. With the context of Focal Point Gallery in mind, the new project ‘New Wooabbeleri’ becomes a direct analysis of how the local conurbation of Thamesmead received its name, and by implication, how large developments sometimes rely on chance and spurious encounters, as much as clearly defined parameters and plans.
Andrew Hunt. Director, Focal Point Gallery
Works
Three Photographs of postwar developments along the north and south banks of the River Thames.
Three silk screen prints that re-work postwar development plans for locations along the Thames. All original markings have been re-drawn and through the application of a computer script, the markings are arranged in arbitrary formations.
Eighteen appropriated pages of Thames gateway printed matter. All text is obscured by solid blocks of colour, leaving only elevated viewpoints of the regeneration area. Since the change of UK government in May 2010, all Thames Gateway content is under review.
