Couper Collection Explained

The Couper Collection is an internationally exhibited collection of artwork and installations by the British artist Max Couper, as well as a venue for: exhibitions and events by other artists; and youth art education projects.

Based in Hove, Sussex since 2022, the Couper Collection for many years exhibited its art in a floating gallery on converted barges, moored on the banks of the Thames in Battersea, London.

Between 2001 and 2003 the Collection was a Focus Site of the London String of Pearls Golden Jubilee Festival, Patron Prince Charles.

The Couper Collection Diamond Jubilee Bridge was launched in a ceremony during the sailby of The Queen and The Prince of Wales during the 2012 Thames Jubilee Pageant.

Works

Major works by Max Couper and the Couper Collection include:

Challenged mooring rights & closure 2014-2022

In 2006, the Couper Collection was involved a dispute with Hutchison Whampoa and the Port of London Authority regarding a land claim at Albion Riverside and Foster and Partners's plans to remove the charity's barges.[1] Foster's lawyers, Farrer & Co, put in objections to the UK Land Registry.[2] Max Couper claimed "ancient mooring rights", but in 2013 Justice Arnold ruled that the barges should be removed,[3] and Hutchison Whampoa sought to enforce the ruling with a further High Court order to "dispose of or destroy" the gallery. The PLA offered alternative mooring sites, which Couper declined.[1]

The litigation was long, and complex. Proceedings were first issued in 2006.[4] The final judgement in the litigation was later in 2017, when Couper attempted to sue his solicitors and counsel in the earlier proceedings.[5]

The vessels have been sold.[6]

The Collection was re-incorporated in 2020 as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). Registered as The Couper Collection Sussex CIC, its current directors in 2023 are Tim French MBE, Max Couper and Magdalena Couper.

References

  1. Web site: Jeff . Farrell . Louise . Jury . Judi Dench protests against floating art gallery eviction. . 23 October 2014 . 31 March 2022.
  2. Web site: Leake . Jonathan . Foster vision could sink an art gallery . . 31 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220531124640/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/foster-vision-could-sink-an-art-gallery-79ndjwgkmx6 . 31 May 2022 . 26 September 2004 . bot: unknown . subscription .
  3. Web site: Couper & Anor v Albion Properties Limited & Ors [2013] EWHC 2993 (Ch)]. 22 November 2020.
  4. Web site: Couper & Anor v Albion Properties Limited & Ors [2017] EWHC 22 (Ch) at 1]. 22 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Couper v Irwin Mitchell LLP & Ors [2017] EWHC 3231 (Ch)]. 22 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Couper & Anor v Albion Properties Limited & Ors [2017] EWHC 22 (Ch) at 17]. 22 November 2020.

External links