Looking to Sea: Britain Through the Eyes of its Artists

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It is easy to slip into a negative mindset, especially given the constant challenges we’re all facing at the moment. But staring out to sea, most of us can’t help but feel even a momentary glimpse of gratitude, which is a powerful step towards wellbeing. “With so much going on in the world right now; a trip to our beautiful coastline is a great way to reflect and remember all the positives and beauty we have around us. We must all take time – indeed find this time wherever possible - as without it, we can become immersed in the negative; this is absolutely something to avoid. Remember too; we can always find a reactionary gap – we can all make a space to consider the information that presents itself to us and respond accordingly through choice. We can, through dedication and practise, actively remember that wellbeing is blue, wet and around the corner,” says Joe S. Immediate mindfulness In an interview with The Guardian, Dr Mathew White, an environmental psychologist, said there are three key factors which link coastal living and wellbeing. Firstly, in general, coastal environments are often higher quality with more sunlight and less polluted air. Secondly, people who live by the water are often more active. But the third point is particularly interesting, he says water has a 'psychologically restorative effect', with time by the water consistently linked with positive mood and reduced negative mood and stress. The mental health benefits of being by the sea Meditative state

Looking Out To Sea Photos and Premium High Res Pictures Looking Out To Sea Photos and Premium High Res Pictures

Get in the sea: “Perhaps take up cold water swimming, there are plenty of groups who can offer support and safety advice,” says Lizzi. “If it's a good day go for a dip or a surf - get in there! The feeling of accomplishment that you have truly embraced nature will stay with you all day,” adds Joe T. The ocean is this beautiful, unexplored place. Why on Earth everyone isn’t down there, I don’t know.” – Graham Hawkes Looking to Sea considers ten pivotal artworks, from Vanessa Bell's Studland Beach, one of the first modernist paintings in Britain, to Paul Nash's work bearing the scars of his experience in the trenches and Martin Parr's photographs of seaside resorts in the 1980s, which raised controversial questions of class. Each of the startlingly different pieces, created between 1912 and 2015, opens a window onto big ideas, from modernism and the sublime, the impact of the world wars and colonialism, to issues crucial to our world today like the environment and nationhood. If you’ve even taken a dip in the sea, or even had a paddle, you’ll recognise that feeling of complete immersion in the activity. “By getting into the sea you're no longer observing nature, you're in it and fully conscious of the feel, the sound, the power, and taste of the ocean,” says Joe T. It’s a form of mindfulness, which has a powerful way of putting things into perspective. “In the sea there isn't a lot of headspace left to also worry about land-life-problems because the ocean demands your full presence the moment you step into it,” he adds. Improved sleepThere’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent.” – Dave Barry Looking to Sea is a remarkable and compelling book. It is both a wonderfully sustained mapping of the intersection between artists, writers and the sea and a meditation on belonging and displacement. I loved it.' Edmund de Waal Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” – Gandhi

Looking out to sea on Pinterest Looking out to sea on Pinterest

Pay attention: “Take a coastal walk and observe how the light, shapes, and colour of the landscape shift reminding us of the transitional nature of all things,” says Lizzi. “Take a walk to your local beach and let your senses take in it all. Learn how the waves break, take notice of the wind,” adds Joe T. Take me to the ocean. Let me sail the open sea. To breathe the warm and salty air and dream of things to be.” – Erica Billups This is a nice short sea quote that you’ll commonly see printed on cushions, wall art and coasters. Its meaning is open to interpretation as the ways in which the sea can set you free will be unique to each person’s circumstances.

Looking to Sea

Every literary festival stays in an author’s mind for slightly individual reasons. I shall remember the Oxford festival for:

Looking to Sea - Creative Folkestone Lily Le Brun: Looking to Sea - Creative Folkestone

We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected on the deep.” – William James Jacques Cousteau was a French explorer and pioneer of marine conservation. This is another of those famous quotes about sea and life that mean once you begin to explore the sea, you will be so mesmerized by its wonders that you’ll always want to learn more. Le Brun’s writing is at once bold and delicate, far-reaching and fine-tuned. Her book explores the inexhaustible variety of human perception.’ Alexandra Harris Lily Le Brun is a writer from London. A graduate of Edinburgh University and the Courtauld Institute of Art, she has written on art for publications such as Art Quarterly, the Financial Times, and the Economist. In 2018 Lily won a Royal Society of Literature Giles St Aubyn Award for the early chapters of Looking to Sea. She lives in Paris and this is her first book. In this astonishingly perceptive portrait of the twentieth century, art critic Lily Le Brun brings a fresh eye to a vast idea, offering readers an imaginative new way of seeing our island nation.Each of the startlingly difference pieces, created between 1912 and 2015, opens a window onto big ideas, from modernism and the sublime, the impact of the world wars and colonialism, to issues crucial to our world today like the environment and nationhood.

Liverpool: Looking Out To Sea • Peter Marlow • Magnum Photos Liverpool: Looking Out To Sea • Peter Marlow • Magnum Photos

This quote from a 19th Century artist and spiritual teacher is one worth remembering. If you can find peace and happiness in what you have, then the happiness and goals you had in mind will follow. Looking to Sea is a remarkable and compelling book. It is both a wonderfully sustained mapping of the intersection between artists, writers and the sea and a meditation on belonging and displacement. I loved it.’ Edmund de WaalAny water will do: “Too far from the beach itself? The watery nature of our peninsula offers rivers and estuaries teaming with wildlife and activities such as photography enable us to exercise our creativity,” says Lizzi