Breaking Waves

A series of free events and creative activities exploring the relationship between climate change and industrial heritage in Barking & Dagenham.

The Great Flood of 1953 devastated communities across East England as the Thames rose to claim factories, homes and entire villages. 70 years later, this programme of free events and activities highlighted the inextricable and uncomfortable link between our industrial heritage and the effects of climate change in Barking & Dagenham.

Breaking Waves took place between Summer 2023 and Autumn 2024 and included major commissions, co-designing opportunities for residents, local filmmakers, after-school workshops and masterclasses, open air painting classes, birdwatching, mudlarking sessions and more.

Program curated by Kieran Swann.