The Wick List

Viewing Thirst: In Search of Freshwater at Wellcome Collection

The Wick Culture - M’hammed Kilito Before it's gone Photographic print © M’hammed Kilito Courtesy of the artist

Above M’hammed Kilito Before it’s gone Photographic print © M’hammed Kilito Courtesy of the artist

The Wick Culture - The Life-Giving Spring (Zoödochos Pege), c. 1700s Egg tempura paint, wood, gilding Courtesy of Wellcome Collection

Above The Life-Giving Spring (Zoödochos Pege), c. 1700s Egg tempura paint, wood, gilding Courtesy of Wellcome Collection

The Wick Culture - Adam Rouhana Ein Aouja, 2022 Photographic print © Adam Rouhana

Above Adam Rouhana Ein Aouja, 2022 Photographic print © Adam Rouhana

The Wick Culture - Chloe Dewe Mathews 11. Ganesh Visarjan, from ‘Thames Log’, 2015 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

Above Chloe Dewe Mathews 11. Ganesh Visarjan, from ‘Thames Log’, 2015 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

The Wick Culture - Gilgamesh and Aga tablet, late 3rd Century BCE Clay Image provided by The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester.

Above Gilgamesh and Aga tablet, late 3rd Century BCE Clay Image provided by The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester.

The Wick Culture - Chloe Dewe Mathews 32. Mass Baptism, from ‘Thames Log’, 2013 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

Above Chloe Dewe Mathews 32. Mass Baptism, from ‘Thames Log’, 2013 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

Above M’hammed Kilito Before it’s gone Photographic print © M’hammed Kilito Courtesy of the artist

Above The Life-Giving Spring (Zoödochos Pege), c. 1700s Egg tempura paint, wood, gilding Courtesy of Wellcome Collection

Above Adam Rouhana Ein Aouja, 2022 Photographic print © Adam Rouhana

Above Chloe Dewe Mathews 11. Ganesh Visarjan, from ‘Thames Log’, 2015 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

Above Gilgamesh and Aga tablet, late 3rd Century BCE Clay Image provided by The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester.

Above Chloe Dewe Mathews 32. Mass Baptism, from ‘Thames Log’, 2013 C-type print, dry mounted onto card © Chloe Dewe Mathews

Thirst: In Search of Freshwater

Wellcome Collection
26 June – 1 February, 2026

The Wellcome Collection’s latest exhibition explores the human connection with freshwater – which makes up only 3% of the water on earth but is essential for the land and living beings. The exhibition takes a global, individual look at the universal role of freshwater through 125 objects ranging from ancient Mesopotamia to modern day London, looking at the water crisis and its consequences and solutions.

The show, curated by Janice Li, features a visually compelling and through-provoking range of approaches to the theme, from artistic work, new commissions, as well as artefacts, research and more. Wellcome have also partnered with Wonderwater to create a menu to reveal the water footprint behind what you order in the cafe.

Among the exhibition highlights are a transporting multimedia installation by Raqs Media Collective inspired by the incredible historic step wells of Rajasthan and Delhi – structures which can descend up to 100 feet, and were built to capture and store rainwater – some date back to 200 to 400 AD. Closer to home, see Chloe Dewe Mathews’ Thames Log, a photographic series that captures the daily routines and religious rituals of diverse communities that live along the River Thames.