Tidal Twirlings was a summer of art with Mud Island, an isolated neighbourhood in the Royal Docks. The works sought to open up possibilities, to precipitate surprise, delight, and public luxury, and to make North Woolwich more visible both to itself and beyond.

Five residents worked with AiR as the North Woolwich Curators Club to co-produce and host the art. Open mic nights in a bowling club, a café, and two community centres – the ‘elemental nights’ – began the exploration of this place with poems, talks, and performances by residents and invited guests from beyond. Artists were commissioned to make new works with people living and working in North Woolwich – a dance duet, a comic book, a singing group, and sculptural interventions – a ship, a river, a tower block drawing, and a rolling star. Tidal Twirlings concluded with with these works revealed across the island as the North Woolwich Art Festival. A weekly walking group was established at the beginning and a summer festival continues after we have left.

Tidal Twirlings was commissioned by London Borough of Newham with support from Arts Council England. AiR artists in North Woolwich were Dmitri Galitzine, Amina Gichinga, Lucy Joyce, Freddie Opoku-Addaie, Janette Parris, Alex Schady, public works, Sam Blunden, Gabrielle de la Puente, and Anna Hart.