WE ARE THE SEA: A World Ocean Day Art Exhibition

A solo art exhibition from artist Laura Callaghan.

We Are The Sea: A World Ocean Day Art Exhibition, will be held at Gallery 19a, Brighton, from 29th May to 9th June 2025. The exhibition is designed to celebrate our connection to the ocean, amplify the voices of those who dedicate their lives to the sea, and raise awareness about the ongoing environmental challenges facing our waters.

At the heart of this exhibition are my “sea portraits”—a collection of expressive works inspired by interviews with remarkable women from the Sussex Bay coastline. These ‘portraits’ capture the personal and emotional connection these women have with the ocean, each bringing unique perspectives shaped by their work and passions.

The featured women and their stories include:

• Dr. Catherine Kelly: An expert, from University of Brighton, in the restorative power of water on wellbeing, exploring how natural environments heal and support mental health.
• Coral Evans: An environmental campaigner and founder of Leave No Trace Brighton, working to mobilise communities to address beach litter and ocean pollution.
• Christine Addison: An accomplished Channel swimmer and trainer, who has crossed the English Channel multiple times, embodying the strength and tenacity of human connection to the sea.
• Alice Clark: A PhD researcher at the University of Sussex, focused on cutting-edge techniques to monitor and protect marine biodiversity.
• Jeannette, an Anonymous Brighton resident: Through the Brighton Women’s Centre, sharing her deeply personal, therapeutic connection with the ocean and how it shapes her daily life as a Brighton resident.