Two brand new sculptures in Ovingdean and Brighton Marina by local artist David Watson celebrate the unique habitats and species of our Marine Conservation Zone, which runs alongside the Undercliff Path between Brighton Marina and Saltdean.
The two sculptures - entitled 'Home' - display the text - 'Look out to sea! Who lives beneath the waves? The ocean and the chalk seabed off the coast from Brighton are home to starfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, catsharks, anemones, crabs, lobsters, sea snails, mussels, oysters and many other creatures, as well as seaweeds including kelp. The chalk gullies, habitats and wildlife here are protected as part of our local Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).'
Schools without Walls and ONCA collaborated on ‘Home’ – an environmental education and art project that celebrates the local Marine Conservation Zone. The project was supported by the Adur and Ouse Partnership, Rampion Offshore Wind, Arts Council England and Brighton & Hove City Council.
‘Home’ used creativity, play and nature connection to inspire young people about marine conservation and celebrate biodiversity in The Living Coast. In sessions with children from three East Brighton schools (St John The Baptist, Longhill and St Margaret’s) in summer 2019, participants built dens and habitats, and imagined what ‘home’ might mean for the more-than-human residents of the Marine Conservation Zone.
The workshops raised awareness about the marine environment – in particular about the MCZ’s intertidal zone, chalk gullies, reefs and extraordinary wildlife – whilst encouraging children to spend time outdoors.
Building on this process, local artist David Watson made two ‘Home’ sculptures, with accompanying signage, whose purpose is to delight and engage people on the Undercliff Path with the Marine Conservation Zone and The Living Coast. The sculptures are made from waste, including amongst other things, salvaged aeroplane wheels.
Installed on the Undercliff Path at the Marina and Ovingdean in October 2021, they not only enhance the experience of visitors, but increase appreciation of the precious world hidden beneath the waves just beyond the beach.
More information about the project here: https://thelivingcoast.org.uk/project/home-marine-conservation-zone-undercliff-path-sculptures