Mudskipper

Have you ever seen a ship that can walk on land? A huge new mobile sculpture, 10 years in the making, will crawl ashore at the Royal Docks this summer to challenge your perceptions of what’s possible.

British artist James Capper brings his ambitious new work MUDSKIPPER, to the Royal Docks for a series of live demonstrations, a month-long display, and an exhibition of original drawings and photography charting his making of Mudskipper.

Inspired by the evolution of the vertebrates and their leaps from water to land MUDSKIPPER brings together engineering and art in this new experimental amphibious sculpture.

Capper has transformed a nine-metre former commercial fishing boat and given it the ability to move on land by giving it hydraulic steel legs and special treadpad feet. After travelling down the Thames using its original engine and rudder, it will slowly emerge from the river at the Royal Docks for everyone to marvel at.

Mudskipper is produced by Illuminate Productions and co-commissioned by Battersea Power Station (the Battersea Power Station Powerhouse Commission), Nine Elms on the South Bank and the Royal Docks Team. It is supported by Arts Council England, Rothschild Foundation, Hannah Barry Gallery, Albion Barn and Perkins Engines, with additional support from the Science Museum Group and RoDMA (Royal Docks Management Authority).

Demonstration times and dates:

Mudskipper demonstration: Friday 3 September 4:30pm
Mudskipper demonstration: Saturday 4 September 3:30pm

Mudskipper display

Royal Victoria Dock – from Sunday 8 August until Thursday 2nd September

Mudskipper Drawing

Rooftop of the Good Hotel - 6-8pm on the 31st August
Participants will be given materials to undertake sketches of the sculpture. The arts educators will give advice and techniques to improve their drawings and experiment with different ways to represent the moving sculpture.

Mudskipper exhibition

A free exhibition of artist James Capper’s drawings and photography charting the making of Mudskipper will be on display in the Good Hotel, next to Mudskipper’s display, from Monday 2 August until Sunday 5 September.

All events and activities will adhere to the Government’s COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Regular updates are also provided to organisers to ensure all events and activities are adhering to the most recent Government Coronavirus guidance and restrictions