Third Thursday Social Supper
14 April 2026 at Art Riot Collective
Social Suppers provide a welcoming and inclusive space to come together, share a meal, and connect with others. Guided by an ethos of slowing down and being fully present, these gatherings encourage meaningful exchange and foster a sense of community within Art Riot Collective.
Often programmed alongside exhibitions, residencies, and events, Social Suppers may feature guest speakers, workshops, or informal discussions, reflecting the collective’s wider mission and values. Events are offered free of charge or on a pay-what-you-feel basis, ensuring accessibility for all.
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Building on this spirit of shared experience and dialogue, on 12th April, Alan Van Wijgerden presents a solo exhibition, People, Place and Action, accompanied by a Social Supper celebrating his work.
1983 originated from an exhibition of the same name held that year, titled Fashion. The project examined fashion beyond the confines of haute couture—although several images were captured along the King’s Road in Chelsea—situating it within a broader social and cultural framework.
In the original exhibition, the photographs were tightly cropped to focus solely on the individuals depicted. They are now presented in their full-frame format, revealing greater environmental context and positioning the subjects within their wider surroundings. What would today be described as street photography was, at the time, simply an act of everyday observation.
Many of the images are rooted in personal experience. Working with limited resources, I had only just enough means to cover materials. While photographing in London, I stayed in a squat in South London, and during the Oxford series, I was based at the Peace Camp at Upper Heyford.
Over four decades later, the work has taken on an archival significance. The original exhibition was presented at the now-defunct Community Resource and Information Centre, as well as in the corridor of the Coventry Polytechnic Media Centre.
Van Wijgerden’s practice centres on people and action, often drawing attention to social injustices and the lived experiences of marginalised communities. His work reflects historical moments that continue to resonate with contemporary issues, highlighting the enduring challenges faced by those on the margins of society.
The exhibition brings together his 1983 photographs, capturing individuals and environments both locally and nationally, offering a compelling portrait of everyday life during that period. The Social Supper will act as a space for reflection and conversation, with the possibility of a slideshow presentation to further contextualise the work.
