Effra Creek! Effra Wash! Effra Splash!
Effra Creek! Effra Wash! Effra Splash! was a video installation by artist Kadeem Oak, which showed at the ICA. The project looks at the cultural ecology of the underground river Effra, following its course through Brixton, a London borough with many architectural and toponymic references to Effra. Oak’s intention was to highlight the ongoing gentrification in the area and the cultural erasure of its Afro-Caribbean community, drawing parallels with the river as it disappeared from public to private space.
As contribution to Oak’s installation, the river Effra has had its place on the London map restored. This involved researching historical records using online resources and libraries of maps to visualise Effra’s lost course alongside other underground tribuitaries.
