The Sea Washes Away all the Ills of Men

About the Project

St Catherines Island is rich in its history and as an important heritage site both locally and internationally, encapsulates the process of time. Visualising the effects of both nature and human history, the fort highlights and conceptualises what can be learned from the remnants of history evident within the surface of its walls, marred by the natural process of decay.

With that in mind, artists Natasha Toms and Georgia Watkins carried out a brief artist residency in September 2023 over the course of four days. During this time, they explored the island and fort, seeking to understand its history, architecture and nature. From this they involved eight other artists to take part in a more extensive online residency.

From January - March 2024, the resident artists were given time to produce a new piece of work in response to the site. Provided with a curated ‘residency pack’, including images of selected areas of the island and fort, as well as information its history and further resources, the artists found inspiration. Working with the theme of art history or nature and landscappe, the all took different approaches to the project, creating eight equally unique yet poignant pieces to be displayed in this exhibition.

Whilst they each took on the styles of their own practice, the project prompted a wealth of conversations that resonated with all the works in the show. It drew out ideas of the relationship between the fort and the abundance of nature surrounding it and the ways in which the island is reclaiming its place. The theme of time also became a crucial motif, with artists capturing both the passage of time, and the places where we view moments of the forts history suspended in time.

The residency project was a new adventure for Patience Gallery. To see the artists capture the essence of the island and fort so well, having never stepped foot inside, is a delightful outcome. We hope the exhibition highlights the site’s incredible history and the interest it sparks within the artistic community.

Georgia Watkins

March 2024