*Please note that this exhibition and following text references topics and personal accounts of being childless/free which we feel are important to discuss but may be triggering or upsetting to some.

The Swiss Church London presents ‘NO KIDS’, a multimedia exhibition and series of events by Louise Ashcroft, reflecting her ambivalent experiences of not having children. ‘NO KIDS’ brings together a film, installation and collaborative album of adapted nursery rhymes made with Swiss Artist/Writer/Musician Sarah Elena Müller and Swiss Music Therapist Luzia Studer.

The album, ‘No Kids Nursery Rhymes’, was initially made in response to Louise Ashcroft’s survey of 180+ people who do not have children and was commissioned by Melanie Bühler in 2024 for group show ‘Burning Down the House: Rethinking Family’ at Kunstmuseum St.Gallen. It will be re-exhibited within an installation at the Swiss Church London alongside Ashcroft’s new film, ‘What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting’, an hour-long film based on her 2023 comedy stage show about inequalities in fertility care.

The ‘NO KIDS’ accompanying events, including a ‘No Kids Choir’ rehearsal, live performance and a brunch discussion group, create a further environment for collectively exploring this important and often unspoken topic.

The 3-day exhibition offers a space to heal and process complex emotions, while sharing and discussing ways to build community beyond nuclear kinship.

Curated by Lizzy Drury and Diane Chappalley.

General Opening Hours:

Friday 24th January 2025 | 6:30 – 8:30pm

25 – 26th January 2025 | 12pm – 6pm

*General admission to this event is free. There are options to book tickets or make a donation for the accompanying events.

Accompanying Events:

‘No Kids Choir’ | Tuesday 7th January, 6:30 – 8:30pm | RSVP (free)

Artists Louise Ashcroft and Sarah Elena Müller invite you to welcome in the new year with a ‘No Kids Choir’ social singalong for people who are childfree by choice, childless (not by choice) or “# it’s complicated” at the Swiss Church London.

Whatever your position or singing ability, together, we will raucously sing nursery rhymes with lyrics based on Louise’s survey of 180+ people’s experiences of having no kids. The tracks are simple to sing along to; they’re uplifting, melancholy, cathartic and liberating in equal measure.

The singalong session will be recorded by a videographer and the resulting footage will be exhibited alongside other works relating to this theme at the ‘NO KIDS’ exhibition at the Swiss Church London, 24-26th January 2025.

Please bring any childfree friends. This is a safe and inclusive space. We will share refreshments and create a caring and playful way to think through complex experiences together.

Private View & Singalong | Friday 24th January, 6:30 – 8:30pm (free)

Join us for the private view and sinaglong performace by the ‘No Kids Choir’.

Film Screening: ‘What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting’ | Saturday 25th January, 6:30 – 7:30pm (suggested £5 donation)

Join us for the screening of the premier of Louise Ashcroft’s film, ‘What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting‘.

‘No Kids’ Brunch Conversation | Sunday 26th Jan,10am | £13 (full price), £6.50 (concessions)

The ‘No Kids’ brunch conversation is for people with lived experience of being childfree/childless (by choice or otherwise) and offers a safe space to discuss these topics over brunch and refreshments. Please arrive at 10am for the discussion starting at 10:30am.