Kind Things Happen Here | Electric Medway

A visual artwork amplifying local stories of kindness

I was commissioned by SparkedEcho to create five animated collages titled Kind Things Happen Here as part of the Electric Medway Festival theme of hope.

Electric Medway brought together audiovisual artworks, streamed events and interactive workshops from more than 50 local artists and community groups in Kent. Unlocked through five virtual zones, the exciting programme invited participants to engage with works – both online and offline.

Kind Things Happen Here uncovers and amplifies positive stories of kindness and community spirit from in and around The Pentagon Shopping Centre and High Street in Chatham.

I spent time in Chatham, Kent talking to local people, observing interactions, and discovering positive stories about the people and the place. I identified five reoccurring themes from the stories I gathered and have used them to create five animated collages.

The collages celebrate Medway’s sense of community and humour as well as the supportive, generous, and caring people who live and work in the area.

Each collage is a mix of photographs, drawings and found images that help to illustrate a story or quote.

The work was exhibited at Electric HeART, Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham on the last day of the Electric Medway Festival, Sunday 6 September 2020 as well as being showcased online here.