The Force of Water commission is an important celebration to the communities it impacts and a public valuing and understanding of public art delivered through Maidstone Borough Council’s Elemental – A Walk of Art project.  

Maidstone-based artist Karl Farrer undertook a two-month residency, exploring and documenting the landscape and the people who live, work and visit the river between the Fant and Allington Lock areas. The artist’s experience with the river communities was reflected through the creative use of interviews, sketches and photography. The final work was presented as a video projection created by artist Gareth Polmeer. As part of the commission a student apprenticeship was awarded to James Swain at the University College for the Creative Arts who assisted in the artwork’s development.

The video projection was launched on Sunday 3 December 2006 from the riverside towpath between the St Peter’s and Maidstone bridges.

The Force of Water is funded by Arts Council England and the Channel Corridor Partnership.