It’s sea time: sights and sounds, myths and mysteries at Hastings Contemporary

HOT’s Judy Parkinson threw on her sou’wester and grabbed her fishing net for a preview of a trio of new exhibitions at Hastings Contemporary, all with a distinctly salty flavour. The gallery is treating us to a summer of water-based sensations with not one, but three shows about what lives and lies beneath the element that shapes our town.

Undersea follows Seaside Modern (2021) and Seafaring (2022) to complete a trilogy of exhibitions curated by renowned art historian James Russell. It explores the mysteries, myths and life that lurk beneath the waves, bringing together over 75 artworks spanning four centuries: paintings, prints, drawings and objects from across different cultures and artistic movements.

Each room holds marine delights and visual connections. Curly tails mirror seaweed twirls. A woman diver wrestles with an octopus. Seductive mermaids invite us not to simply delight in their voluptuousness, but rather to question whether they are temptresses or omens for unruly seas. There is sea sculpture from c.1725 that incorporates ceramicware lost at sea and colonised by corals, along with a nice nod to the gallery’s recent still life show with Lobster on a Delft Dish, by Charles Collins (c.1680-1744) painted in 1738.

Intricate representations of the sea and its inhabitants come from a group of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, painting on natural materials that decay over time, such as eucalyptus bark. The works have a profound feeling for the aquatic world with clear designs and vivid colours.

Curator James Russell said: “I’m excited about the internationalism of the show, as we have works from the UK, USA, Japan, China, India, Australasia, Europe and Africa. There are themes which I think will appeal widely, particularly the mermaid section, among which is Delvaux’s A Siren in Full Moonlight, and a set of 27 strange and wonderful mermaid paintings by Klodin Erb are fabulous.  Visitors are in for a treat!”

The Sun Feeds the Wind is an immersive experience created by local artists in close partnership with the Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society.

Hastings is home to one of Britain’s oldest and most historically significant fishing ports, dating back to Viking times. Fishing and seafaring are integral to Hastings’ culture and identity. With significant challenges posed by the climate crisis, ecosystem changes, shifting regulation and an ageing workforce, the fleet now numbers around 25 boats. It is one of the oldest remaining beach-launched fishing fleets in Europe.

The Sun Feeds the Wind is designed by artist Jane Bruce and at its centre is an oral history archive, collected and curated by Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society and sound artist Mary Hooper. The immersive sound installation gives voice to the adjacent fishing community, interwoven with video projections onto nylon fishing nets and screens with new footage by Sam Sharples intricately blended with archive material by Nichola Bruce.

Paul Joy, Chairman of Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, said: “As custodians of the sea, we connect our town to its history, with traditions which pre-date 1066, and to its future — offering answers to the challenges facing our oceans and coastal communities. We are excited to share our stories and preserve them for future generations.”

Kathleen Soriano, Interim Director at Hastings Contemporary, said: “We are so excited about this important partnership project, made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It will allow us to find new creative ways to celebrate and share the rich industrial and cultural heritage of our town, showcasing cultural traditions, practices and sounds which are at risk of being lost.”

 Pearls of the Sea is a vibrant exhibition showcasing the creativity of 470 local primary school students. It is a culmination of a year-long collaboration between the gallery and eight local primary schools, giving children the chance to visit the gallery, work with local artists in a series of workshops and then have the pride and satisfaction of exhibiting their work. They have been inspired by the Stade, the Saxon term for landing place, exploring the rich maritime heritage of Hastings. They have foraged on the beach, sung sea shanties and made a unique collection of collaborative artworks.

Louisa O’Shaughnessy, Learning Co-ordinator at Hastings Contemporary, said: “It’s a privilege to work with our local schools and these talented young artists. Their work is full of imagination, creativity and a fresh look at our seaside location.”

Undersea: 29 March 2024 – 14 September 2025
The Sun Feeds the Wind: 29 March 2024 – 14 September 2025
Pearls of the Sea: 29 March – 1 June 2025

Hastings Contemporary
Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings TN34 3DW
Wednesday to Sunday, and Bank Holidays
11am to 5pm (last entry 4.40pm)

www.hastingscontemporary.org  @hastings.contemporary

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