A Sea Swim by the West Pier

Print description

This print shows a bather striping of his shirt in preparation for a sea swim. This design talks about the enjoyment of the small domestic rituals that comprises the act of sea swimming. I am a passionate sea swimmer, one of the aspects I love about it is that the bare minimum equipment is required to do it. I live by the sea and, in the summer, I often carry with me a small bag with swimming shorts, goggles and a small towel. The structure that appears on the horizon are the remains of the West Pier. The West Pier was a Victorian leisure pier built in 1866 and today only its metal structure remains.

Print details

I created this print from my original ink drawings to which I apply colour digitally. Printed on fine art paper using archival inks. I issue the formats A1 & A2,A3 and A4  as limited editions of 100 where I individually sign and number each print.

Sea Swim

From Victorian times, bathing in the sea became fashionable. It was practice to strengthen general health and improve fitness.

By the mid 18th century and Brighton’s proximity to London made it a good alternative to spa towns such as Bath. Even Dr Richard Russell in the 1750s, famously recommending not only swim in the sea, but also drink the salty water.

Beach Art

This print belongs to the series of works I have created under the name ‘Beach Art’. This series celebrates people happily spending their leisure time at the beach. Swimmers, divers, paddleboarders and the occasional  tight-rope walker. Shimmering seas and bright sunny skies bathe with light these characters. The designs have a hint of nostalgia and in my own distinctive style echoes the works of artists such as Robert Tavener and the New Romantic British artists John Minton and Keith Vaughan. The West Pier appears in all the prints in the series. I created this series in April 2021 to mark the start of my art residency with the West Pier Trust.