Residents and visitors are invited to view a new free public art exhibition which focuses on the marine and natural environment. Bordering the Ham, Sidmouth’s community recreation green space, currently the site of construction works, this large-scale open-air gallery, presents a special collection of artworks created by the community and local and international artists.
Chris Bradford, Project Manager, South West Water said:
“South West Water’s Turning the Tide programme is focused on reducing the use of storm overflows and improving the quality of rivers and coastal waters across the region. In Sidmouth South West Water is constructing a new 100,000‑litre storm storage tank at The Ham, which will help to reduce storm overflow spills and safeguard the consistent “Excellent” bathing water quality status at Sidmouth Town Beach.
Alongside this engineering work, local partners have created the “Marine and Green – Together Be Seen” public art display on the hoardings surrounding the temporary site. The exhibition, curated independently by Sidmouth School of Art and Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub, runs in parallel with South West Water’s improvement work and aims to celebrate Sidmouth’s coastal environment, highlight community care for the natural world, and bring colour to the area during construction.
The project offers a positive way for the community to stay connected with the space at The Ham while essential upgrades take place. This will help in maintaining local pride in Sidmouth’s marine environment and reflecting the shared goal of cleaner seas and a healthier coastline.”
The multimedia series of artworks explore local and global cares and concerns for the environment and the role humans have as both beneficiaries and influencers.
Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub Director, Louise Cole said:
“Whilst the storm tank construction work takes place alongside other improvements at the Eastern end of Sidmouth, the hoardings around the site presented a very positive opportunity to continue our place-based work making Sidmouth the artwork.
With the support of South West Water we have co-created artwork with children, young people and adults in Sidmouth, built new creative skills and curated a shared ‘local voices’ platform through art. Despite the challenging weather conditions, even throughout installing the work, we have spoken to so many people walking by who have expressed how much they appreciate the work on display, the difference it makes, and the wonderful sense of shared place it evokes.
We live in a beautiful location and have the most fantastic array of civic groups with a strong tradition for volunteering. People care about the place we live in as well as the wider global impacts of climate change and the destruction of natural habitats for biodiversity. The exhibition tells that story and brings cultural vibrancy to the town while the Ham is out of action to the public.”
Sidmouth School of Art, Artistic Director, Coco Hodgkinson, added:
“We are really pleased to present such a large collection of work in one place, which expresses so much – free to view for everyone. We wanted to present local work with that of established artists and are fortunate to be able to include five poster works by British artist David Shrigley OBE. Internationally renowned for his thought-provoking paintings, recognisable for their almost childlike qualities and paired with darkly comic observations, his images are at once dark, stark, bright and funny, somehow uplifting.
Italian graphic artist Tomaso Marcolla is also featured and our COP30 series with UK and Brazilian artists. Collectively the work confronts head on the issue of climate change with humour, bold statements, information and actions that everyone can take.”
Previous work that has been featured on Sidmouth Wallspace is also re-presented including Priceless by eARTh Vader, River by Caitlin Hennessy, Steve McCracken, Emily Hobson-Martin, and Sidmouth young people and A Sidmouth Map by local printmaker and artist Emma Molony.
Attention is also brought to the many local groups whose volunteering, cultural and creative events and blue and green endeavours across the ecosystem of the Sid Valley, embody the protective spirit of Sidmouth. Elsewhere the exhibition showcases ink, paint, print, slogan style stickers and digital works.
The collection, through its environmental pictures, posters, haikus, memes and maps, both celebrates what is cherished and cautions what must be conserved.
Marine and Green – Together Be Seen - focused on the wellbeing of people and planet, is both an exploration of feelings and responses and a hopeful visual call to action.
More information including a digital exhibition of the artwork can be viewed here Marine and Green - Together Be Seen | Sidmouth School Of Art
Supporting Art and Culture in the community…
Follow Sidmouth School of Art on Facebook and Instagram @sidmouthschool_art for updates.
Donations to support Sidmouth School of Arts work can be made via SSA’s website Donate | Sidmouth School Of Art (sidmouthart.org) or find out more how you can support us
Get Involved | Sidmouth School Of Art.
Co-founder David Shrigley, OBE:
“Art is about discovering what something means to you and expressing what you think and feel.”
Encouraging and engaging with art and our creative selves is a path to wellbeing and happiness.