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While Tony Foster’s internationally renowned art is displayed in galleries across the UK and US, his home is much more local – he lives in Tywardreath.
Recently, he’s been using his artwork to bring attention to something deeply concerning to him right here in Cornwall: South West Water’s proposal to develop a desalination plant at Par Beach.
What is Desalination?
Desalination is a process that removes salt and other minerals from seawater, turning it into drinkable water. It’s useful in areas with low rainfall or where fresh water is scarce.
Yet in a county renowned for its high rainfall (with levels above average here for the last three years), it may not surprise you to learn that South West Water’s plans for a plant at Par have met with some resistance.
Tony joins a growing number of supporters, from both near and far, who are deeply concerned about the impact a desalination plant could have on Par’s rare marine environment.
Three reasons Par Beach in the St Austell Bay area is so special:
- The Bay area hosts rare coral, known as Maerl, which only grows a few millimetres each year, yet locks away lots of carbon, which helps prevents global temperatures rising.
- The seagrass meadow in St Austell Bay is the largest in the UK stretching some 900 acres and is home to the short snouted and spiny seahorses.
- Both the Maerl and Seagrass provide homes and food to 122 species, with the Bay also given Special Protected Area status for over-wintering diving birds who rely on its fish to survive.
Art exhibit raises awareness and funds
Earlier this month, the Desalination Information Group held an art exhibit in Par to raise funds for their campaign to stop South West Water progressing their proposal.
The exhibit aimed to highlight what’s at stake – from Par’s unique underwater environment to the potential effects on Cornish households and businesses – if the proposals progress unchallenged.
The jewel in the exhibit’s crown? An original watercolour by acclaimed landscape artist Tony Foster, which came with a unique backstory.
CHAOS Radio’s Community Journalist, Alex Duff, spoke with two of the exhibit’s organisers, Deborah Hazeldean (pictured above) and Jenny Tagney, who shared how Tony’s landscape painting became a perfect fit for their exhibit at Gott Hall.
How David Attenborough’s favourite place sparked an unlikely artwork
“Tony Foster was involved in a project that saw him ask Sir David Attenborough where his favourite place in the world was,” explains Deborah. Sir David playfully responded that he preferred not to say but added: “I’m not sure I have a favourite place, but my favourite environment is under the sea by a reef.”
Jenny Tagney picks up the story from here, explaining what happened next: “So Tony Foster, aged 70 something, donned full diving gear, went onto the seabed and using chinagraph pens and a waterproof background to draw on, sketched out what he was seeing under the sea. He was there for 25 minutes. When he resurfaced, he took what he’d produced, then completed it from memory.”
Unbeknown to him at the time, Foster had painted a scene that resembles the very landscape we’re at risk of losing here on our doorstep, if South West Water’s desalination plant goes ahead at Par.
Community art to fundraise for the “SAY NO TO DESAL” campaign
To increase awareness of the proposal, Deborah and Jenny, who are spearheading the Desalination Information Group, organised a two-day, nature-inspired art exhibit at Gott Hall.
Foster’s original underwater sketch and completed artwork took centre
stage. He also created a limited-edition print combining both pieces and is donating the proceeds from the 100 signed copies to the “SAY NO TO DESAL” campaign.
These funds are primarily intended to support legal costs in the fight against South West Water’s desalination proposal.
Isn’t more useable water good? Why so much concern about desalination in Par?
Desalination plants are used globally – there’s even one on the Isles of Scilly – but the process is energy-intensive and disruptive to the seabed. In an ecologically sensitive area like Par, which supports rare seagrass, coral (Maerl), and diverse marine life, these effects are particularly concerning.
South West Water’s position
South West Water has stayed relatively tight-lipped since initially announcing its proposals, despite repeated requests from CHAOS Radio for comment.
However, their website states: “Delivering desalination will greatly increase Cornwall’s resilience to climate change… and is needed to support the region’s growing population”.
Missed the exhibit but interested in one of Tony Foster’s limited-edition, signed prints? Visit www.saynotodesal.co.uk.
Want to learn more about the campaign for Par? Then don’t miss NEWSWAVE Investigates: Desalination – the first episode in our documentary series exploring South West Water’s proposed desalination plant in Par.
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