Few could have failed to notice the huge and ambitious civil engineering works of the Rother Tidal Wall East project, which stretches along the Rother from Scots Float and on to Rye Harbour. As part of essential flood defences, the Environment Agency and the civil engineering company, VolkerStevin, are increasing the height and width of the embankment and moving part of the bank back at Camber fields to create an area of saltmarsh between the river and the embankment (see Rye News article Tidal defence progress)
What many will not have seen is the large, bold and colourful mural recently painted by Luke Brabants on a 25 metre side of a wood hoarding that surrounds an area containing works equipment in Camber fields. The mural can be seen from the Rye to Camber cycle path that starts from just over the road bridge over the Rother.
The purpose of the mural, commissioned by VolkerStevin, was to firstly improve the look of the site for walkers, cyclists and workers and to engage the public in the project. The mural, depicting the landscape and wildlife of the area, not only brightens up the dull hoarding, but also reflects how the project is not only working to protect against flooding but also to promote the ecology of the area with a new section of saltmarsh to encourage local plants and wildlife to flourish.
Michelle Miller, customer experience co-ordinator for VolkerStevin, worked with W.Ave Arts in Bexhill who suggested Luke Brabants as the artist to complete the painting. His work, often inspired by nature, can be seen in and around Pett Level, Hastings, St Leonards and beyond.
Luke is proud to have worked on the painting, which took a week to complete, and is pleased with how it has turned out. “Working on this project for VolkerStevin was really fun. Having such a long canvas to play with gave me a good chance to fit in a number fauna and flora which are frequently found along the river Rother. Although it is a temporary structure I hope it engages with locals on their walks and bike rides and can be a great talking point of the larger project they are working on to help against future floods. It’s great to see that a big company is doing good things for locals, as art may not always be necessary, but it is great in so many other ways and being able to be part of that is a real honour!”
During the Rye Arts Festival, a community event to visit Camber Fields and be part of the mural with some hand painting onsite is planned on Saturday September 28.
Image Credits: Juliet Duff , Michelle Miller , Luke Brabants .
This is fantastic, great initiative!