Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s marine project, Secrets of the Solent, has unveiled a 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 told by photographer Tom Harrison, exploring how the rich cultural history and inspiring natural beauty of our incredible marine environment influence their lives.
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.
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 wildlife and 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 & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is shared by our inspiring volunteer Marine Champions.”
To create the exhibition, Secrets of the Solent commissioned accomplished commercial photographer, Tom Harrison, to capture intimate portraits of people from a variety of different professions.
Photographer Tom Harrison, has said:
“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.”
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 who interact with the water on a daily basis, the impact of human activity is increasingly apparent.
RNLI volunteer Dawn Hodge, who features in the exhibition, is the first female Helm of the Bembridge Inshore Lifeboat in the station’s 155-year history, and has said:
“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.”
The exhibition is the newest in a series of creative projects intended to engage local people with the marine environment. 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 will collaborate with another local artist, Hannah Horn, to map the Solent through six large artworks.
The People of the Solent exhibition launched at the Yellow Edge Gallery in Gosport on 27th September and will run until 9th October. A second instalment will be displayed in the Quay Arts Centre in Newport, Isle of Wight between 15th October and 5th November. Both will be free to enter.
