Michael Rakowitz

From Margate to Southend-on-Sea, the south east coastline of England is currently boasting an abundance of outdoor art installations to explore this summer. ‘Waterfronts’, launched by England’s Creative Coast is a landmark collaboration between seven arts organisations – Cement Fields, Creative Folkestone, De La Warr Pavilion, Hastings Contemporary, Metal, Towner Eastbourne and Turner Contemporary (which has recently had a minimalist revamp). 

Brought together by the Waterfronts commissions and the world’s first art GeoTour, the project invents a new outdoor cultural experience that connects art with the landscape and local stories with global perspectives.

With summer in full swing (and temperatures reaching new highs in the UK – grab your sunscreen), hop on our curated coastal tour.

April is the cruellest month is a sculpture modelled by Iraqi-American artist Michael Rakowitz after Daniel Taylor, a young soldier who served with the Royal Artillery in Basra, Iraq, during the 2003 Iraq War. Formed from concrete, calcite, sand and earth from Bosra with chalk from Margate, the sculpture is embedded with fossil-like items that embody trauma: military medals and personal donations by Taylor, members of Veterans for Peace UK and residents of Margate. Standing in solidarity with the Iraqi people, Rakowitz – who contributed a ‘Basra Kiss’ recipe to our Artist’s Palate series – explains ‘The history of poets and rescuers looking out at the sea for inspiration and life has informed my project.’