‘Precarious Straits ~ survival on Southend’s new coast, Southend-under-Sea’

Launching Saturday 22 May 2021

Group exhibition at TOMA Project Space, Unit 13, Royals Shopping Centre, Southend, SS1 1DG. Opening Saturday 22 May from 12-6pm. Then open 23 May to 19 June (on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).

‘Precarious straits ~ survival on Southend’s new coast, Southend-under-Sea’ is a collaborative project from TOMA (The Other MA) and TOW (The Old Waterworks) and is a Creative Estuary co-commission with additional funding from Arts Council England. The project consists of a group exhibition, a series of events, workshops, a postal care package, new writing and poster commissions responding to the precarious times we inevitably face.

The ‘Precarious Straits…’ group exhibition is a manual for awareness and survival. It looks at the speculative economic, political and ecological futures we may have to navigate in a world heading towards climate chaos. It will open on Saturday 22 May from 12-6pm until 19th June. Associated workshops and talks will be held by our collaborators at The Old Waterworks.

Climate Central’s predictive map suggests that by 2050 rising sea levels will submerge coastal towns along the Thames Estuary. So, how do we deal with this harrowing prospect? Our artists have responded to these bleak realities through skill-sharing, critical thinking, myth-making, humour and careful collation. The question the exhibit asks is this: How do we work outside of capitalist doctrine, and work together, in the face of increasing precarity?

COVID 19 has exposed drastic inequalities throughout the whole of society, but these will only exacerbate further with the onset of rising sea levels and its effects. In many ways, artists have already adapted to surviving in uncertain circumstances. This exhibition shares some of the strategies developed from how they approach their life and work. Emma Edmondson, Amy Pennington, Jerome., Sophia Niazi and UNMundernewmanagement humorously critique institutions such as estate agents, casinos, and the office - each subverting the role of artists within society. James Ravinet documents the changing ecology of the Thames Estuary, while Sara Trillo and Adam Hogarth explore alternative histories and apocalyptic mythologies to arouse wonder and concern for the future. The shopping centre takes centre stage in video, performance and sculptural works by Lolly Adams and Louise Ashcroft. Eco-anxious artists Sean Roy Parker and Anna Crystal Stephens each share works using camping hacks and discarded materials to create survival gadgets and debris collages. Solidarity Syndicate, the right lube and Raju Rage demonstrate how we might collectively and compassionately mobilise in the future combining art, activism and academia.

Precarious Straits exhibiting artists:

Adam Hogarth

Amy Pennington + Sophie Chapman

Anna Chrystal Stephens

Emma Edmondson

Lolly Adams

James Ravinet

Jerome.

Louise Ashcroft

Raju Rage

Sara Trillo

Sean Roy Parker

Sofia Niazi

Solidarity Syndicate

The right lube

UNMundernewmanagement

Please check our websites to book time slots for the exhibition and tickets for the workshops and events ~ www.theoldwaterworks.com/precarious-straits ~ www.toma-art.com/precarious-straits ~

*TOMA is a 21st century art education programme and exhibition space in a shopping centre. It is artist-run and based in Southend. TOW is an artist-led charity and artists’ studios based out of a former Victorian pumping station in Southend.*

*‘Precarious straits ~ survival on Southend’s new coast, Southend-under-Sea is funded by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funds the Cultural Development Fund which is administered by Arts Council England and by Arts Council England’s Project Grants.

* Website: www.toma-art.com www.theoldwaterworks.com * Instagram: @theotherma @theoldwaterworks * Email: emma@toma-art.com info@theoldwaterworks.com