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Common Ground: Explore the role of nature in new installation and events series

7 January 2025

Join us at the UCL east campus for James Berrington's 'Common Ground', an installation and series of events inviting us to consider the role of nature in shaping mental health, LGBTQ+ and national identities and our sense of self.

Image of dense woodland

Slade School of Art graduate and visual artist James Berrington conceived of Common Ground after spending time in nature during lockdown, when his daily walks in the Great North Wood in south London became a space for self-reflection and calm. The large photographic installation, which is accompanied by the sound of birdsong, immerses the viewer in an ancient English Woodland landscape.

Spending time in this ancient woodland was part of James’ mental health recovery and led him to question ideas around national and LGBTQ+ identities, and examine ideas of Englishness rooted in myth, legend, clichés, stereotypes and symbolism.

Making and talking about Common Ground began an ongoing process of self-acceptance for James, just as sitting with the plants and animals, the sounds of the birds, and the smell of the earth in the woods gave him the breathing space to begin his mental health recovery.

The installation will open on 13 January in the UCL East Marshgate building. There's no need to book, just turn up! We will also be hosting a series of events connected to the installation over January and February. 

What's on

  • 13 January to 27 February: Common Ground installation. Open daily 10am - 6pm, First Floor Galleries, UCL East Marshgate. How to get there. 

  • Thursday 16th January, 6.30 - 8.30pm: Common Ground launch event. Join us for drinks, nibbles and talks to celebrate the launch of our latest public installation. Free, booking required. 

  • Tuesday 4th February, 6 - 8.30pm: The Reality of Queer Homelessness - film screening and Q&A. Taking place during LGBTQ+ History Month, join us for a screening of Stonewall Housing's powerful documentary LESS. The event will be introduced by UCL academic Philip Ayoub, and followed by a Q&A with Stonewall Housing CEO Steven McIntyre and mental health advocate Jennifer Jean-Paul. Free, booking required. 

  • Tuesday 11th February, 6 - 8pm: In conversation with the artist. A conversation between Common Ground artist James Berrington and Slade School of Art professor and artist Sarah Pickering. Free, booking required. 

  • Selected Wednesday evenings: Common Ground late night openings. Free, booking required. 

If you have any questions or need support with booking onto any events, please contact Matilda Blackwell at matilda.blackwell@ucl.ac.uk.