The Sea from Here II
For The Sea from Here (Part I), I reached out to people around the world, seeking photographs of sea. Now, in a new series of paintings, I want to take this a step further. I’m asking people to physically send me their sea.
When working in watercolour on the coast, I usually mix seawater with my paints. From time to time, I bring a bottle back to the studio. I wish to take this idea to a new level, to create a substantial body of watercolour seascapes using seawater from around the world, for an exhibition next year. Using seawater to paint with is hardly a novel concept, but it’s another way I can provide commentary on localised sea-level change without needing to travel. Each painting becomes a site-specific collaboration, and each collaborator will be credited in the artwork series description, along with location notes. It’s a project about appreciating our seas – treating the gathered water as precious, connecting us all.
Of course, sending liquids by post isn’t always straightforward, but if carefully packaged, it’s perfectly safe. As with the first part of this project, I don’t want anyone to go out of their way or break coronavirus restrictions on movement. Likewise, I don’t want anyone to take risks when gathering water.
How to…
I only need one “sample” from each sea, and so please fill out the below form to see if water from your local coast has previously been sent. I now have several samples, listed below. I don’t need a large volume of water from each participant. Anything from 50—200ml would be enough.
I’d be grateful if you could use recycled packaging, with plenty of padding. Cleaned drinks bottles or travel-sized cosmetics containers from around the house, tightly screwed, wrapped in layers of bubble wrap (most courier companies require three layers) and sealed in a waterproof bag, bound with tape. You can send it in a box or padded envelope, depending on the sample size. If required, you should declare the package as containing ‘bottled water: non-hazardous liquid.’
I ask that you include the co-ordinates of the collection point and you may also wish to send a photo of your sample being gathered, which I may use on social media.
In return
I’ll aim to produce one large artwork using everyone’s seawater, and one small artwork with each sample too. You’ll be sent the smaller one as a thank-you for your time and effort (approx postcard sized). Along with your sample, please include your address so that I can send this.
Note that some quotas – listed below – are now filled:
Alboran Sea (Spain)
Arctic Ocean (Disko Bay, Greenland)
Balearic Sea (Spain)
Baltic Sea (Denmark)
Baltic Sea (Sweden)
Bay of Biscay (France)
Black Sea (Georgia)
Black Sea (Russia)
Celtic Sea (Isles of Scilly)
Coral Sea (Australia)
East China Sea (China)
East Sea, Sea of Japan (South Korea)
English Channel (England)
Firth of Clyde (Scotland)
Galilee Sea (Israel)
Great Australian Bight (Australia)
Gulf of Mexico (America)
Irish Sea (England)
Irish Sea (Ireland)
Irish Sea (Wales)
Indian Ocean (Australia)
Lake Michigan (America)
Loch Nevis (Scotland)
Mediterranean Sea (Israel)
Mediterranean Sea (France)
Mediterranean Sea (Malta)
New Jersey Bight / Long Island Sound (America)
North Atlantic Ocean (America)
North Atlantic Ocean (France)
North Atlantic Ocean (Tenerife)
North Atlantic Ocean (Scotland)
North Pacific Ocean (America)
North Pacific Ocean (Japan)
North Sea (Denmark)
North Sea (England)
North Sea (Netherlands)
Red Sea (Egypt, Sudan border)
Saint George’s Channel (Wales)
Salish Sea (Canada)
Shapinsay Sound (Orkney)
Sound of Gigha (Isle of Gigha)
South Atlantic Ocean (South Africa)
South Atlantic Ocean (Ilha Grande Bay, Brazil)
Southern Ocean (Australia)
Suez Canal (Egypt)
Tasman Sea (Australia)
Tasman Sea (Tasmania)