What the water gave me

German artist Katharina Dubno's series about an English houseboat community is currently on show. Here she describes the project in her own words

Rivers of water run down my London apartment window and again make me want to flee London.

This anonymous, hectic place where superficiality, consumption and stress determine the everyday life. This place where people hardly have time for a private life and thus no time to share and socialise.

I want to be off to the sea shore, to sit by the water, recover, calm down and think.And finally, I find what I sought!

People with time, an open mind and a great sense of solidarity. A life in accordance with the rhythm of nature, full of creativity, with the freedom and space for using imagination and expression of ideas– all that without the ‘benefit‘ of external rules and regulations.

These people live in a houseboat community – families, singles, couples, pensioners  and students. I get the chance to become part of their lives.

We work, cook, dine, sing and talk, we do the kids' homework, we fix the leaks on the boats, do gardening, meet up for Yoga, barbeques and parties.

Even though rivers of water run down my houseboat window, I’m happy and so grateful for what the water gave me.

Click here or on "View Gallery" for a picture preview

What the Water Gave Me is on show at Chelsea College of Art and Design, the Triangle building until 27 September