News
Strand – Ocean pollution as fine art photography
If you are looking for a book that is a little bit different from the usual underwater and dive books, then Strand by Stuart Haygarth has taken environmental art to a new level altogether. Stewart took it upon himself to walk all the beaches along the entire length of the South Coast from Allhallows on Sea on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent through to Lands End in Cornwall. As he made his way along the sand and shingle of the various beaches, he collected litter, flotsam and jetsam. His 38 day journey saw him pick up a huge amount of trash, either left by visitors to the beach, or washed up by the relentless waves bring in trash thrown from boats or carried on ocean currents from far flung places.
Stuart made the trip using his 1982 VW campervan with a custom modified trolley on the back so that he could take all the objects that he collected back home. The campervan was his home and transport for the whole of the 38 days. Those who have ever had one of these vehicles will appreciate just what a feat that is in itself.
The book is amazing with every page (apart from a handful describing why and how he did the project) being dedicated to photographs of the rubbish he managed to collect. It is, of course, not random; one page will have every ball, comb or bottle top that he found lined up in a way that only a true artist can to create really pleasing images. Another page has six rows of broken lighters that are beautifully colour-coordinated and other pages will just have debris that most people wouldn’t look twice at until you see how he has arranged them; truly brilliant.
The book is unique in the way that it can make you feel very sad for humanities’ lack of care for the marine environment, and the sheer amount of rubbish that he managed to collect, and yet also joyous at the art forms created and photographed by Stuart. As you spend more time looking at each image, you find objects that surprise you, shock you and also make you smile. We can only hope that the message about marine pollution is spread far and wide. We also hope that efforts by divers and the general public to clean up beaches, and a general reduction in the current throw-away culture that leads plastic washing up on our beaches, means that this book will be a piece of history that also sees us change our ways.
Strand is a book that you can keep picking up and each time you will find something new to appreciate.
Strand is published by Art / Books in April 2016, £28.00 hardback, www.artbookspublishing.co.uk.
ISBN 9781908970251
BINDING Hardback
PRICE £28.00
ILLUSTRATIONS 56 colour
SIZE (H x W) 26 x 21 cm landscape
EXTENT 128pp
CATEGORY Art, Photography
PUBLICATION April 2016
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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