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

Water Tractor Installation 2014 by Max Couper

HM The Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012
The Couper Collection Diamond Jubilee Bridge, by Max Couper, was dedicated on 3 June 2012, by the Reverend Canon Ivor Smith-Cameron, former Chaplain to HM The Queen, on the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth the Second, and Her Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, passing by the dedication. 

On the bridge are Couper Collection trustees (left to right); Prof Dean Leslie, Rev Canon Ivor Smith Cameron, Nick Skeens, Chair, Carole Tongue, Vice Chair; with Max Couper and Rev Alan Gadd behind them. The Queen is in the launch behind (to the left) looking towards the bridge dedication ceremony, with The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh and The Duchess of Cornwall

Close up view of the Royal party aboard their launch.	Commemorative plaque on the Couper Collection quayside.

HOME CHART ROOM STUDIO BARGE SKY GARDEN INSTALLATIONS FIRST ART 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 by appointment only info@coupercollection.org.uk Entrance free. 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 A childrens' art exhibition and educational project for London schools inspired by The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, The London Olympics & Paralympics,  and The River Thames. Reunited Rings, by Charlene Russell & Sarah McDonagh