Wildlife Trust Photography Exhibition Comes To Isle Of Wight

A new Quay Arts exhibition is aiming to shine a spotlight on unsung heroes.

People of the Solent will be in place at the Newport arts centre until November 5.

The photography exhibition is part of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s marine project, Secrets of the Solent.

It is aimed at celebrating the people who work daily on our region’s waters and play an essential role in shaping its future.

Rescue crew, ferry workers and conservationists are among the extraordinary people whose stories are captured by photographer Tom Harrison, exploring how the rich cultural history and inspiring natural beauty of our incredible marine environment influences their lives.

Dawn Hodge — First female Helm of Bembridge RNLI Inshore Lifeboat. Credit: Tom Harrison.

As diverse as the habitats and species they frequently encounter, the people who work on the Solent are an essential element of our region’s complex marine environment.

Whether scouring the waves to save lives or surveying rare wading birds through a scope, each individual featured in the exhibition demonstrates a life intimately connected to the sea.

The People of the Solent exhibition will be displayed at the Quay Arts centre in Newport, Isle of Wight, until 5 November. The gallery is open every day from 9am until 5pm and is free to enter.

Duncan Bates Principle Chief Instructor at Brading Haven Yacht Club. Credit: Tom Harrison.

RNLI volunteer Dawn Hodge features in the exhibition as the first female Helm of the Bembridge Inshore Lifeboat in the station’s 155-year history.

She says:

 “I’ve lived on the Isle of Wight in Bembridge for the last 50 years and I think we need to look after the Solent more in the future.

“There’s been well-publicised problems with sewage, the loss of our blue flags and the pollution of our seas by things like plastic as well.

“I think if we want to continue to use this beautiful natural resource then we need to take better care of it.”

People of the Solent Quay Arts. Credit: Siân Addison

Dr Tim Ferrero, senior marine biologist and Secrets of the Solent project manager, said:

“The Solent has been a focus for human activity since the end of the last ice age.

“This aim lies at the heart of the Secrets of the Solent project and all the marine work undertaken at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and is shared by our inspiring volunteer Marine Champions.”

To create the exhibition, the National Lottery-supported project commissioned accomplished commercial photographer, Tom Harrison, to capture intimate portraits of people from a variety of different professions.

Sam Mitchell Senior Route Master of Car Ferries at Wightlink. Credit: Tom Harrison.

Photographer Tom Harrison says:

“It has been such a privilege to meet and photograph so many fascinating people for the exhibition.

“I hope my images capture and emphasise how engaged and passionate each of the subjects are in their given fields and highlight the vital role they play in shaping the future of the Solent."

Thousands live and work alongside it and many more visit every year, yet very few are aware of the sensitive marine habitats hidden beneath the surface and the threats they face.

However, for those that interact with the water on a daily basis, the impact of human activity is increasingly apparent. 

The exhibition is the newest in a series of creative projects intended to engage local people with the marine environment.