Ongoing
For anyone interested in the River Lea and the heritage of activism and music sub-cultures
Undercurrent: Movement of Jah People is a bold creative heritage project tracing untold stories along the River Lea—from its source in Luton to the Thames in East London. Rooted in real histories of working-class and ethnically diverse communities, we invite residents to become active contributors to our living archive shaped by your voices, memories and experiences.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund this two year project, we will be reaching out to individuals and communities with a focus on movements of people in both the socio-political sense and in the sharing of their stories—ensuring this growing archive reflects the people who have shaped the river’s past and present. It will surface and celebrate the creative subcultures that lie at the heart of Luton’s unique personality. Whether through personal accounts of activism, musical subcultures or migration journeys, your voice can be part of this collective narrative.
Young people sit at the heart of Undercurrent. Through hands-on workshops in storytelling, photography, sound and podcasting, participants will gain practical experience, develop creative skills and work alongside professional artists and heritage practitioners. These opportunities are designed to build confidence, open pathways and empower the next generation of storytellers.
Luton’s communities will play a vital role in co-creating a major immersive installation which will be shared through a touring pop-up exhibition that will tour the River Lea ending at the Royal Docks Originals Festival in Autumn 2027, inviting audiences to experience the river’s hidden histories in new and powerful ways.
Undercurrent is more than a project—it’s a shared journey of discovery, participation and cultural legacy.
If you would like to find out more or get involved in Undercurrent, please email: hello@revolutonarts.com
Following our research in 2024, we’ve put together an archive of oral histories that give context to Undercurrent.
See our Undercurrent Digital Archive here.
For anyone interested in the River Lea and the heritage of activism and music sub-cultures
Undercurrent Research phase was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
Undercurrent is a Revoluton Arts project in partnership with Marsh Farm Outreach, supported by Arts Council England.
