The Sea is my Religion

2023

The installation transformed The Royal Garrison Church into a space of quiet immersion, where projections of sea swimmers moved across historic stone walls, accompanied by layered soundscapes of waves and seabirds. The piece unfolded as a multi-sensory experience, echoing the passing of time and the familiar hues of Solent sunsets. Swimmers, robed and silhouetted, became part of a slow, almost ceremonial rhythm—an everyday act reframed as a kind of shared ritual.

Over fifty participants, many of whom had never previously visited the church, became part of this temporary community. Their presence added another layer to the work—one grounded in locality and lived experience. The interplay between the architectural structure and the projected imagery created moments of unexpected harmony, where history and contemporary practice met.

At its core, the work explored themes of connection, resilience, and the healing properties of communal outdoor activity—particularly sea swimming, which had become a lifeline for many in the post-Covid period. The project was deeply participatory, shaped by contributions from the community itself: photographs, video, and personal reflections woven into the fabric of the installation. What emerged was not just an artwork, but a collective expression of place, memory, and renewal.