Wetlands are one of the ecosystems most under threat globally and in the UK, both from coastal development and sea levels rising. I grew up, live and work in a wetland area around Chichester Harbour on the south coast of England.

I am passionate about the impact we as human beings are having on either their survival or destruction. The destruction being caused by overdevelopment and the lack of infrastructures being put into place. However Atchafalaya was made during a Covid lockdown when my source of information for making work was from the internet. I became intrigued by journeys on the computer and began to explore the bayou and swamps of Louisiana, a place which I’ve been long drawn to by its nature and wildlife but also as a dark place in the history of the USA . This painting was from a virtual canoe trip and exposed me to the environmental crisis of the loss of the wetlands around the Atchalfalaya Basin. The Basin is the largest area of wetland in the USA under threat from human interference as well as being a natural barrier to storm surges. As ocean temperatures rise, so do water levels and the frequency of violent storm systems. Currently, the wetlands are protected barrier islands that protect them from extreme flooding and devastation. These thoughts are ever present working in my studio near Chichester in a safe environment albeit aware that one day rising sea levels might have washed it away.