‘Nothing can change by itself’: New mural highlights threat to oceans

AWASH: The new mural at Paragon Station

The second mural from an arts project raising awareness about the impact of climate change has been unveiled in a prime city centre location.

The Shorelines Project, a community-led arts initiative, will see a series of ten murals pop up across Hull as a reminder of the real risks the city faces, while also serving as a call to action.

The new mural, completed in just 12 hours, covers a free commercial unit at Paragon Interchange, thanks to the approval of Transpennine Express.

It is called All Is Connected and was created by Calvin Innes in collaboration with ocean conservationist Nicky ‘Nemo’ Smedley, and Project Aware. It was created to highlight the fragility of the world’s ecosystems, and demonstrate how climate change affects everything.

The project, launched last October by social action group, Rights: Community: Action, aims to help residents be better informed about and prepared for climate change.

Also working with PADI, Bite Back, and The Shark Trust, Nicky brought the vision to Calvin, artist and creative director at Drunk Animal.

Nicky said: “I’ve been campaigning against climate change and ocean conservation for years, so when The Shorelines Project arrived in the city, I knew I had to get involved.

“The ocean is the largest habitat on the planet, it is the most exploited, yet the least protected.

“People don’t realise the huge role it plays in our lives, and particularly those in Hull; it has literally fuelled the city’s prosperity since the 1800s. This mural connects the land to the sea, and will help to educate people on the vulnerability of our environment, oceans and planet as a whole.”

The oceans play a vital role in cities like Hull, helping to regulate river flow. Globally, the oceans also produce between 50 and 80 per cent of the world’s oxygen.

The piece is in stark contrast to the first, darker mural, The Girl, which can be seen on the Hull College building adjacent to George Street.

“Seeing the completed piece in Hull Paragon Station and knowing that I could contribute even slightly feels like a huge honour,” said Nicky. “I’m hoping it’s going to send out a strong message that protecting our oceans for the sake of our future is vital.”

Rights: Community: Action is now calling on the city’s residents to help create the next mural.

Chief executive Naomi Luhde-Thompson said: “Climate change is happening; it's now an inevitable part of our future. But as a city, we are not prepared for its long term impacts.

“More needs to be done to safeguard the city and its communities for the future. We want the Shorelines Project to act as a lasting reminder to the people of Hull that its future can be re-written if we work together to demand change.”

She added: “Art has the power to transport people to imagine futures where we have responded to the challenge of climate change.

“By using art, and delivering it through a community-led engagement programme, we hope we’ll be able to empower the Hull community and build the confidence to know that they have the collective power to tackle it head on.

“We want Hull to lead the debate in tackling the impacts of climate change. The city has the potential to become the leader in flood prevention, but only if the community raises the issue to the highest levels.

“Through our art project, we want to empower communities and ensure their voice is heard, it's essential in the fight against global warming.”

To find out more and contribute to the next mural, visit www.theshorelinesproject.com.