The Great British Fish and Chips
A new commission from artist Olivier Kugler and writer Andrew Humphreys, will be on show at Turner Contemporary in Margate from 16th June 2021 as part of National Refugee Week.
A new commission from artist Olivier Kugler and writer Andrew Humphreys, will be on show at Turner Contemporary in Margate from 16th June 2021 as part of National Refugee Week.
The commission shares everyday stories of migration connected to Kent’s most celebrated high street food.
For the ‘Kent Fish & Chips’ Project Kugler and Humphreys have interviewed owners, staff and customers at Fish & Chips shops across Kent. Migration and displacement are central themes.
Fish & chips can be traced back to Huguenot and Jewish arrivals in the UK and people from all over the world continue to be central to the farming and fishing industries and the high street shops.
Featured Fish & Chip shop owners are:
- Beach Buoys, Margate: Nadine and Simon Morriss
- Best Fish & Chips, Tankerton, Whitstable: Elvan Bodur
- Ossie’s Fish & Chips, Canterbury: Ramazan Altun
- Reliance Fish Restaurant, Gravesend: Jack Kamenou
- Walmer Fish & Chips: Giancarlo and Carolina
The artwork will be exhibited on Turner Contemporary’s terrace (16th June- 26th September 2021) as the central part of the Kent Fish & Chips Project, which also includes related art and research activity in local schools. It is a commission from Counterpoints Arts, in partnership with Turner Contemporary and Canterbury Cathedral. An exhibition of the work will also be presented at Canterbury Cathedral later this summer.
Counterpoints Arts invite schools to respond to the work. To download their schools resource, click here.
Fish and chips is in our family and I love doing what we do. I love meeting new people and every day is a different. I think this art project was a very good idea. I love the picture that they’ve done of me, my shop and my customers. It’s good for people to see local history and how immigration is linked to the fish and chip shops.
Jack Kamenou (Reliance Fish Restaurant, Gravesend)
The best part of the job for us is the customer interaction. We love our customers both regulars and day trippers alike, everyone is always in high spirits to have chips by the seaside. We are happy to be part of this project because it’s a way to have our heritage and family’s multigenerational work recognised.
Giancarlo and Carolina (Walmer Fish & Chips)
Fish and Chips came to the UK from refugees and immigrants and we want to share everyday stories of migration today. It as a central part of our history and culture and makes us who we are as a nation.
Almir Koldzic, Director of Counterpoints Arts
Fish and Chips have long been associated with a trip to the seaside. They are a fascinating lens through which to view migration. We have been delighted to work with Counterpoint Arts on this project and to connect with people locally and nationally who work in and visit Fish and Chip shops.
Toby Parkin, Head of Visitor Experience and Engagement at Turner Contemporary
For more information about any aspect of the project please contact Tom Green: hello@counterpointsarts.org.uk
The work is part of the Across Borders programme from Counterpoints Arts, supported by Comic Relief.
