Picturing plastic pollution
PHOTO ARTWORK ON SHIELDS FERRY HIGHLIGHTS AN URGENT ISSUE
A new display of photo artwork brings home the topical issue of plastics in our oceans.
Clean Up Isle Sea by photographer Jay Smith has been installed within the windows on the Shields Ferry across the River Tyne.
Its transparent images contrast the stunning NorthEast coast with the discarded plastics lurking just below the surface.
Sunderland University student Jay, 21, said: “There has been a great deal of interest around the problem of plastics in our oceans and I hope my work makes people aware that marine pollution is not a problem that is far away, but one that is a lot closer to home.
“Clean Up Isle Sea asks people to question damage that we have done to our coastline by contrasting wide seascapes with close up images of waste becoming embedded within our environment. It is time we got together to clean up and also stay on top of the problems that have been created.”
““I want people to go away and find out more about the issue and what they can do to make a difference.”
Carol Timlin, the ferry manager, said: “The Shields Ferry has been part of life at the mouth of the Tyne for hundreds of years so we are well aware of the environment we live and work in. Jay’s photography brings a very topical issue into real local focus; the river mouth, coastline and beaches are magnificent natural assets for our region and we need to look after them.”