These images were created using a compilation of discarded plastic objects washed up on the shores of our beaches – from lighters & bottles, to shot shells & fishing paraphernalia.
Instead of collecting sea shells I have long been attracted to the man-made flotsam and jetsam of sea-worn metal and brightly coloured plastics. I used to call it ‘treasure’ and got laughed at for the constant haul of so-called rubbish I would lug back in cast-off nets and fish crates. There was so much of it that if the mood took me I could choose objects by theme or colour. The quantities did of course bother me, but at that time plastic was a hidden threat to our oceans.
My moment of realisation came when I discovered a large discarded fishing net had imprisoned scores of large shore crabs. All struggling for survival, their claws bound and trapped by plastic; I managed to cut free and save many of them ahead of the incoming tide. Recently voluntary beach clean ups in my area mean there has been less treasure to find, and I’m grateful that progress is being made. We are all part of the problem, so we need to be part of a solution.
To bring urgent attention to the overwhelming plastics crisis that is engulfing our seas and causing untold harm to our natural world the Association of Photographers have created a new publication featuring the work of 14 artists. You can see the complete works here.
In the battle of Planet vs Plastics Greenpeace reveals that sadly Plastics are winning. You can sign their call for a Global Plastics Treatyhere
Flyer for WASHED UP | photography exhibition highlighting the Ocean Plastics crisis (the leaf is plastic!)
Exhibiting Washed Up as part of JAM on the Marsh festival afforded privileged access to the medieval churches of Kent’s Romney Marsh. But creating a photography exhibition in a unique venue can bring with it a unique set of challenges.
a glimpse of the Marsh from the clock tower at St.George’s Ivychurch, ‘The Cathedral of the Marsh’
Looking up at the ceiling below the clock tower
Firstly, how to hang an exhibition in a Grade I listed building without causing any damage to the walls? An existing church banner showed a way to achieve this that would also be sympathetic to the space.
This cloth banner sparked an idea on how to hang the exhibition
The next challenge was to find a suitable lightweight fabric on which to print the exhibition. The fabric also needed to respect the exhibition’s environmental message – highlighting the Ocean Plastics crisis.
Exhibition printing experts Genesis Imaging helped by sourcing a fabric light enough to hang and, more importantly, made from recycled Ocean Plastics! This shows how materials can be reused and play a part in a circular economy.
Prints ready for hanging in the South Aisle
Showing the exhibition during the long days of summer, allowed the artwork to be viewed in daylight and without using any electricity. The high ceilings and pale walls allow natural light to flood the aisles, creating atmosphere and adding to the viewing experience. The spaces between each of the windows created a natural gallery which informed the final print size.
Colour matched visitor
In keeping with the spirit of recycling, the exhibition is now available for loan. For details please message me here. If you missed the exhibition there is a virtual walk around here.
Packing up the exhibition at the end of the festival
My sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the exhibition happen:
Edward & Sarah Armitage, John Frederick Hudson and Claudia Ott, thank you for welcoming me into the JAM on the Marsh family and creating the opportunity to further highlight the Ocean Plastics crisis by showing Washed Up to a wider audience.
Thank you to all the visitors from far and near who took time to view the work and stay and chat. I enjoyed your company and conversations and value friendships rekindled and new friendships made. Especially church wardens Margaret, Celia and Ellan for accommodating the exhibition at beautiful St.George’s Ivychurch.
Celia and Ed helping out at the exhibition hanging
Delphine’s Sewing Corner for her generosity of time and attention to detail in stitching the artwork (and altering my dress!) Ann-Louise Barton for last minute takeover of print sales. Geoff Waring’s initial encouragement in creating the work. The team at BBC South East. The exceptional colour prints were created by Bernie, Deep and the team at Genesis Imaging on Innotech fabric.
Sarah being interviewed by the BBC
Deep at Genesis Imaging
Stitching the artwork
Print and postcard sales
Lance Dally for always supporting my ventures, not forgetting his terrifying balancing act at the exhibition hanging! Ann Carrig, my mother, thank you for always encouraging me to follow my dreams, and brava for finding a dress that matched the photography!
“I was attracted by the man-made flotsam and jetsam of sea-worn metal and brightly coloured plastics. There was once so much of it that if the mood took me I could choose objects by theme or colour.”
WASHED UP is a free photography exhibition showing as part of this year’s JAM on the Marsh, a multi-arts festival taking place on Kent’s atmospheric Romney Marsh. The exhibition is a comment on our culture of waste and aims to draw the observer in with a compilation of discarded objects including plastic lighters, bottles, gun cartridges and fishing paraphernalia, all found and washed up on beaches from Dymchurch to Dungeness. Bringing attention to a significant topic of our time and providing an example of human impact on nature.
The exhibition can be seen at St. George’s Church Ivychurch from 4 – 16 July. I will be giving a free artist talk on Friday 7th July, discussing aspects of my creative practice and inspiration behind the artworks. There will also be opportunity to purchase limited edition prints and art postcards. The talk will take place at 6pm in the South Aisle and you are all warmly invited.
More information about the festival is available here.
Congratulations to Photo London who are celebrating the publication of the 100th edition of their magazine. Created during the pandemic each edition is dedicated to a photographic artist or gallery. I was very proud to have been selected as the featured artist for issue #28 which can be viewed here, and honoured to be included in this birthday rollcall with many of my longtime photography heroes.
The 100th edition’s focus is on artists from Iran and can be viewed here
A big thank you to all the wonderful teams I had the pleasure of working with in the extraordinary year that was 2020. I know 2021 is already proving to be a challenge, but you can’t dampen the creative spirit and I believe passion and positivity will help see us through.
Wishing you a healthy, happy, and truly inspirational new year.
Picture montage from my 2020 #bestnine on Instagram :
Behind the scenes from my first post-lockdown photoshoot, portrait by Gemma Gravett
I received GOLD for my series on Ocean Plastics at #aopawards2020
I created these images, part of a larger series, to highlight the overwhelming quantities of discarded plastics that are polluting and choking our oceans. I hope exposure surrounding the AOP awards will help highlight the issue, and I am pleased to see there is already coverage on the BBC website and in today’s Guardian.
Meanwhile my thanks to Art Buyer & Creative Producer Kathy Howes who judged the Still Life & Object category and chose my series, and Creative Director Geoff Waring for encouraging me to explore my ideas in still life. As photographers we generally and naturally fall into shooting a particular genre. I am known for photographing people and therefore feel a greater achievement to have my work appreciated across genres.
On a final note, apparently I am the first woman to be a two times recipient of an AOP gold, which makes me extra proud.
WENDY CARRIG 