Despite painting seascapes for the better part of fifteen years, David Cass had never lived in sight of the sea until moving to Athens, Greece, in 2021 – where he now spends part of each year. The project started in a workspace which looked out over a great panorama: Piraeus port to the north, Vouliagmeni bay to the south, and the islet of Ydroussa in between. From here, the artist had expected to paint islands and coastlines, but was instead captivated by endless ever-changing light on water.
This series is a contemplation of sea surfaces, but also an invitation to pause and look more closely. The effect of sunlight on seawater is more than visual. Our seas – home to most of Earth’s life – play a vital role in regulating climate and producing the oxygen we breathe. Every second breath we take originates from microscopic organisms in our waters. But light on water is also warming water.
Some works – painted in monochrome or with stark contrast between light and dark – look to our polar regions, where ice plays a crucial role in regulating temperatures. In these pieces, lighter marks reference ice reflecting sunlight, offering protection to the sea below.
While this series can serve as a springboard for wider conversation, it is above all a homage to our oceans – to their depth, their transformative and life-sustaining qualities, and their enduring pull.
The image of sea offers a painter endless mark-making opportunities, and this series ranges in pace and tone, with some paintings created in a matter of hours and others built up over many months.
