Shaped By The Sea - The Art Explore Museum at Port Eliot House and Gardens
- waughofficeatelier
- 14 hours ago
- 1 min read
The Art Explora Bus
Port Eliot Gardens
July 3rd & 4th 2026
Our voyage begins with a look at the complex histories that have shaped the UK’s coastlines and ports. Painters in the 18th and 19th centuries documented scenes of a growing navy and trading routes, as well as picturesque scenes of life in harbours and ports. Romantic painters, like J. M. W. Turner and Thomas Luny, wanted to express the power of nature shown in stormy seas and shipwrecks.
In the 20th century, many artists have been attracted by the quality of light around our coastlines. Bridget Riley and Tess Jaray adopted abstract imagery to distil their personal experiences of sea life, light and mood. Others, like Anya Gallaccio and Emma Stibbon, more recently, draw attention to the threat to the seas and oceans caused by climate change.
Several contemporary artists in this exhibition including Lubaina Himid, Zineb Sedira and EVEWRIGHT, reflect on how these complex histories of exploration, trade, migration and empire have informed British identity. Their work addresses the social impact of our maritime history, inviting us to question not only how the sea continues to shape our coastlines, but also ourselves as individuals and as communities.
Artists:
Roger Ackling, Simon Bayliss, Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Mohini Chandra, EVEWRIGHT, Anya Gallaccio, Lubaina Himid, Tess Jaray, Thomas Luny, Will Maclean, Zethu Maseko, Paul Nash, William Pye, Bridget Riley, Ro Robertson, Zineb Sedira, Emma Stibbon and Joseph Mallord William Turner.
Shaped by the Sea 2026 ” was curated by Dr Laura Popoviciu, Government Art Collection.
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