South Londoners are invited to open up about grief and their mental health while enjoying an ice cream in Elephant and Castle this autumn.
Artist Annie Nicholson, known as Fantangoe Kid, is running her mobile van Fandangoe Whip in Elephant Park from September 30 to October 2.
The installation, a project run in collaboration with London College of Communication, has visited towns and cities across the UK, and brings Annie back to her roots, as she studied graphic design at the college.
The project was inspired by Nicholson’s own experience of grief – having lost family members in 2011 – and the impact of COVID-19.
She explained: “We have all experienced a loss of some sort this past year, whether a physical loss of loved ones or a loss of lifestyle and routine, or both.
“How have we survived lockdown? How are we processing the grief of all we have lost? And how can we do this together?
“Grief is a part of life and one that comes to us all. The sooner we find ways in which we can start to share this, the less overwhelming I believe the world will be.”
Gill Henderson, Cultural and Communities Partnerships Manager at London College of Communication said:
“The Fandangoe Whip presents an original yet accessible means of broaching what may be difficult topics for many people in the area.
“Annie’s eye-catching designs may already be familiar to people who work and live in Elephant and Castle. Last year her designs inspired by local community workshops decorated a pillar at the entrance to the College, which visitors can still enjoy today.
“It’s fantastic that Annie will be continuing to engage with the Elephant and Castle communities through workshops and an installation which will combine being great fun with a safe space to talk about mental health and wellbeing.”
The Fandangoe Whip will be at Elephant Park, SE17 1UB, from 30 September – 2 October, open from 11am-4pm each day.