ESTABRAK / إستبرق

Sea; the remains between 2019

Ferens Art Gallery, Queen Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3RA // Nov 16 2019 - Feb 23 2020

In collaboration with Invisible Dust and Ferens Art Gallery, visual artist and filmmaker Estabrak presents‘Sea; the remains between’, the latest in the artist’s award-winning series of underwater photographs, specially commissioned for ‘Surroundings’, Invisible Dust’s three-year programme of artist commissions and events with interrelating environmental themes. 

The exhibition includes photographs of individuals and groups from communities in Hull, taken in natural and human-made bodies of water in the local area. The subjects’ heads remain above the water, outside the picture frame, their identities hidden. 

Estabrak invites us to look below the surface and consider each person on an individual level, to confront and reflect on important issues often silenced on land. She is particularly concerned with the social, political and environmental impact of human activity in this region defined by its industrial and maritime past, and its trade routes and ties to transmigration and the British Slave trade. 

‘Sea; the remains between‘ highlights the impact of humans on our waters and is informed by current research into contamination caused by pharmaceuticals, plastics and other toxic chemicals, led by Jeanette Rotchell, Professor of Aquatic Toxicology, University of Hull. The project also considers the continuing impact of past and present political and social activity on individuals and communities.

Given the historic and ongoing systematic oppressions underlying the divisive issues we face in Britain today – such as Brexit, the Windrush scandal and environmental breakdown – conversations around identity, loss, homelands and human habits are needed now more than ever.

The exhibition, an installation of new-media and photography, is influenced by the artists global underwater photographic series ‘World Under Water‘ (WUW), which looks at varying societies’ discourses through the connecting lens of water. Amongst other recognitions, the first in the series, ‘Omanis Under Water‘ garnered international acclaim, winning multiple prizes and has been exhibited at The Royal Academy of the Arts, Summer Exhibition 2016. The second edition, ‘Brazilians Under Water’,began in 2018 and is in progress. Estabrak has recently been interviewed and named one of ‘five incredible underwater artists’ as part of the ‘Pursuit of Beauty: Art Beneath the Waves’ podcast, BBC Radio 2018.

This work was commissioned by Invisible Dust in partnership with the Ferens Art Gallery for‘Surroundings‘, a three-year programme of artist residencies and events focusing on environmental themes, produced by the Humber Museums Partnership and Invisible Dust. Funded by Arts Council England and the Wellcome Trust.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project would not have been possible without the brave support, time, effort and conversations so generously shared by so many people in Hull. It is a great pleasure and honour to thank the following for their continued interest in this project:

Melissa Gillespie / Luana Mincarelli / Ria Hylton / Glynis / Steve Ousby / Mike Mudryk / Jonathan Balangtaa / Ahmed Mohamedin / Bayan Mama / Bazyan Pshdari / Zakaria / Ghufran Alsalahat / Siddi Majubah / Rita / Cecil Jones aka CJ / Dr Nicholas J Evans / Karen van Diesen / Walter Longden aka Walla / Ray Hawker / Jimmy Jessop / Jerry Thompson / Ray Coles / Jan Coles / Dave Smith / Jean Smith / George Gibson / Les Engineer / Obugle Easson / Kate Hindson / Amy Newton / Stefan Ramsden / Sarita Robinson / John Rodinson / Jamie Robinson / Vivian Bush/ Katie Knass / Vivian LO / Tom Rowe / Richard Oades / Louise Kirby / Helena Robinson / Dorcas Taylor / Ama Josephine Budge / Martine Renoux / Steve Napali / LEila Maha / Niran Al-Khazraji / Salsabeel Al-Ansari / Nii Obodai
Breda Beban – always missed, never forgotten
All the team at Invisible Dust
The University of Hull
The Deep
and everyone else who has helped shape Sea; the remains between

LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

If you would like to find out more, connect with or help support any of the communities, organisations and people who have helped shape this project, please visit the following sites:

OPEN DOORS: www.opendoors-hull.org.uk

WELCOME TO ENGLISH: www.welcometoenglish.org
HULL FISHING HERITAGE CENTRE: www.hullbullnoseheritagegroup.co.uk

HULL AFRO CARIBBEAN ASSOCIATION: https://hullafrocaribbean.wordpress.com/
THE FREETOWN SOCIETY www.freetownsociety.org