Coast

Artists: Neville Gabie, John Kippin, Rob Olins, Michael Pinsky, Andrew Smith, Walker and Bromwich
Location: Essex Coast

COAST was a major visual arts project, commissioning important new artworks that interpret the Essex coastline, with a view to developing a better understanding and appreciation of its unique landscape, people, heritage and culture.

2003 saw the creation of ‘Mersea Circles’, a major new artwork by the internationally renowned Japanese digital artist Masaki Fujihata, based on walks around Mersea Island and involving over 120 people in its making.

In the District of Rochford, Neville Gabie produced a video and a publication which make the virtually inaccessible stretch of coastline adjacent to Foulness more visible. In the District of Maldon, Zoë Walker and Neil Bromwich set up an independent radio station from a boat decorated with mirror tiles moored between Bradwell Power Station and St. Peter’s Chapel – broadcasting music, ambient sounds and interviews with a range of local people on the subject of “power”. The work evoked memories of the era of the 1960s and 70s.

The artist John Kippin created a series of photographs of Essex coastal landscapes based on the concept of a “land that is worth defending”. These photographs include images of Martello towers, forts and other heritage military establishments along the Essex coast.

At three secondary schools in Clacton (Bishops Park College, Clacton County High School and Colbayns High School) the artists Rob Olins, Michael Pinsky and Andrew Smith worked closely with pupils to develop ideas for a range of artworks to be integrated into the architecture and grounds of the schools.

COAST was managed by the Essex Arts Development Team in partnership with Commissions East, firstsite and Shinkansen/future physical. The project was run in association with Rochford, Maldon and Tendring District Councils and with Clacton County High School, Colbayns High School and Bishops Park College. COAST was supported by Arts Council England East.