Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s marine project, Secrets of the Solent, has unveiled an exciting, new photography exhibition celebrating the people who work daily on our region’s waters and play an essential role in shaping its future.
Rescue crew, ferry workers and conservationists are just some of the extraordinary people whose stories are captured by photographer Tom Harrison, exploring how the rich cultural history and inspiring natural beauty of our incredible marine environment influences their lives.
Click on images to see larger versions and arrow through the gallery
An essential element of our region’s complex marine environment
As diverse as the habitats and species they frequently encounter, the people who work on the Solent are an essential element of our region’s complex marine environment.
Whether scouring the waves to save lives or surveying rare wading birds through a scope, each individual featured in the exhibition demonstrates a life intimately connected to the sea.
Where and when
The People of the Solent exhibition will be displayed at the Quay Arts centre in Newport, Isle of Wight, until 5th November.
The gallery is open every day from 9am until 5pm and is free to enter.
Hodge: We need to look after the Solent more in the future
RNLI volunteer Dawn Hodge features in the exhibition as the first female Helm of the Bembridge Inshore Lifeboat in the station’s 155-year history.
She says,
“I’ve lived on the Isle of Wight in Bembridge for the last 50 years and I think we need to look after the Solent more in the future.
“There’s been well-publicised problems with sewage, the loss of our blue flags and the pollution of our seas by things like plastic as well.
“I think if we want to continue to use this beautiful natural resource then we need to take better care of it.”
Ferrero: Celebrating these ‘People of the Solent’
Dr Tim Ferrero, senior marine biologist and Secrets of the Solent project manager, said,
“The Solent has been a focus for human activity since the end of the last ice age. Today, our internationally important Marine Protected Areas, and the wildlife and habitats they support, have to coexist in one of the busiest waterways in the world.
“The people who work on or by the Solent are often those who know and experience it most closely. We wanted to celebrate these ‘People of the Solent’ and, in particular, the attachment they feel to the strait’s wonderful habitats and their desire to see it protected and valued by all.
“This aim lies at the heart of the Secrets of the Solent project and all the marine work undertaken at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is shared by our inspiring volunteer Marine Champions.”
Photography by Tom Harrison
To create the exhibition, the National Lottery-supported project commissioned accomplished commercial photographer, Tom Harrison, to capture intimate portraits of people from a variety of different professions.
Photographer Tom Harrison says,
“It has been such a privilege to meet and photograph so many fascinating people for the exhibition.
“I hope my images capture and emphasise how engaged and passionate each of the subjects are in their given fields and highlight the vital role they play in shaping the future of the Solent.”
Thousands live and work alongside the Solent
The Solent supports important industries, fisheries and leisure businesses. Thousands live and work alongside it and many more visit every year, yet very few are aware of the sensitive marine habitats hidden beneath the surface and the threats they face.
However, for those that interact with the water on a daily basis, the impact of human activity is increasingly apparent.
The exhibition is the newest in a series of creative projects intended to engage local people with the marine environment.
Work with street artist ATM
Earlier this year, Secrets of the Solent worked with street artist ATM to create a series of marine murals positioned on prominent walls around the coast of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
In October, the project collaborated with another local artist, Hannah Horn, to map the Solent through six large artworks.
To find out more about the People of the Solent exhibition and the Secrets of the Solent project, visit the Website.
News shared by Jake on behalf of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Ed
