Down the Drain
Introduction
Hello, my name is Ed Hill - the artist behind this art installation called ‘Down the Drain’. I joined the ‘Transition Town Totnes Arts Network’ a month ago with the aim to involve myself more in environmental issues.
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| After the river clean |
The Stimuli
My starting point was a
feeling of discontent concerning the untreated pollution that goes down storm
drains. I see the evidence when I walk along the river and go wild swimming. I
would have expected it to be teaming with fish, birds and insects, but instead there
were plastic bags, shopping trolley’s and car tyres – and this in the rural
South Hams a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! I have also heard
that it is not the best idea to swim in the river just after it has rained.
The Creation
With all this in my mind,
I chose the image of a drain to form the focal point of my work. The bottle symbolises
the contaminants going down. I deliberately used a blank bottle, as this could
be anything, and I invite you to write on the bottle what it could be.
The vortex of water
depicts the flowing of water, and the way plastic bags are found tangled around
branches, swirling in the eddies. To make a direct link with the issue at hand I
used plastic from my river. The river clean lasted 30 minutes, and I removed; a
shopping trolley; a shopping basket; lots of plastic bags; a big bundle of netting;
barbed wire and a big rug of material. To finish the work, I installed a few of
the aquatic animals I have sculpted.
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| The fish swimming in the vortex |
The Reflection
I feel I have made a
piece of work that tells a story. It is my hope that it is suggestive enough to
allow peoples’ imaginations to run. I would have liked other objects above the drain
to convey the range of sources, but there are too many. So, I thought a
collective process would be better.
I have enjoyed the
process as it has given me an opportunity to devote time to the issue and
reflect on my behaviour regarding contaminants. For example, when I go wild
swimming in rivers I don’t usually go collecting rubbish, but doing the river
clean felt surprisingly rewarding and empowering to think that I can, in my own
small way make a difference. I am currently planning another river clean over a
longer period inviting a couple of friends to join me.
Ed Hill is a metal artist who recycles cutlery and kitchen utensils from St. Luke’s Charity Shop and transforms them into animal sculptures. He has a workshop where he lives in Ermington near Ivybridge. He is currently preparing for a four month long exhibition at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington starting in November. You may also have seen his work at Delamore Arts in Cornwood, where he hopes to exhibit again next year in May.
Ed Hill is a metal artist who recycles cutlery and kitchen utensils from St. Luke’s Charity Shop and transforms them into animal sculptures. He has a workshop where he lives in Ermington near Ivybridge. He is currently preparing for a four month long exhibition at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington starting in November. You may also have seen his work at Delamore Arts in Cornwood, where he hopes to exhibit again next year in May.
