OLIVIA HUMPHRIES

ARTIST STATEMENT

Strandline

‘Strandline’ is a mixed-media sculptural piece that examines the impact of humans on nature and the sea, particularly my sea, at Crosby Beach, Liverpool.

The work contains found objects from the beach as well as paper and clay sculptures designed to look like hybrids of naturally occurring elements, such as shells, and pollutants like burnt plastics.

I walk the beaches and strandlines at Crosby and Morecambe. Witnessing the pollution of the sea and coastal landscape through human interaction and climate change angers me. It’s important that my work highlights human effects on coastal ecosystems as a response to current climate issues.

The work juxtaposes delicate paper and clay sculptures that depict dying coral, seaweed and creatures with found litter. These materials are screwed up and thrown onto the artificial strandline, mimicking the act of discarding waste. The colours mirror the earthy, neutral tones and artificial chemical colours to represent dried up sea life mixed with toxic yellows and objects that appear charred.

Surviving, 2025, airdry clay, watercolour and plastic bag

11:43am. 2025, watercolour, watercolour pencil and charcoal & graphite half pans, A3 Khadi Cotton Rag paper

EMAIL:

olivia.hum@icloud.com

INSTAGRAM:

liv_humphries_art