
Photos by Frank Leppard
Art works being created on Margate buildings in a bid to raise awareness of ocean conservation and the issues caused by plastic in and around our coastline are now well underway.
Seventeen local and international artists are painting as part of the Rise Up Residency project which runs to October 2.

The project is spearheaded by Rise Up Clean Up and Margate-based, internationally-acclaimed artist Louis Masai. It will culminate in a series of free workshops for residents this weekend – October 1-2, with the aim to inspire the Margate community to reduce plastic use and respect the ocean.

Works include that of lead artist Louis Masai on the Kent Tec building in Northdown Road and works by Lily Mixe at Drapers Mill, Hera -aka Jasmin Siddiqui’ – in Vicarage Place and Neequaye Dreph Dsane at Danesmead Terrace. Work has also started by artist Smug in partnership with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue organisation.

Residency artists are also heading up a number of litter pick events this weekend.
Find information and the mural map at http://riseupresidency.co.uk/
Find details for the workshops at https://www.riseupcleanup.co.uk/residency
Rise Up guide:
AARON LI-HILL -33 RANCORN / WEST CLIFF ROAD
DOUDOU– 46 CANTERBURY ROAD
SMUG– 31 CANTERBURY ROAD
SCOTTY BRAVE– LOCATION TBC
HERA– 1 VICARAGE PLACE
NUNO VIEGAS– 33 VICTORIA ROAD
CURTIS HYLTON– 29 OXFORD STREET
MARTIN WHATSON -CAROLINE SQUARE
DREPH– 22 DANESMEAD TERRACE
CATHERINE CHINATREE & PETER NICHOLLS-24 CLIFTON GARDENS
FAUNAGRAPHIC– 55 THANET ROAD
JORDAN T GRAY– 2 CLIFTON GARDENS
LILY MIXE– DRAPERS WINDMILL, ST PETERS FOOTPATH
DAVID SHILLINGLAW– BLACK AXE THROWING CO, EDGAR RD, CLIFTONVILLE
NOMAD CLAN– 68 HAROLD ROAD
LOUIS MASAI– 351 NORTHDOWN ROAD
ONUR– 351 NORTHDOWN ROAD (KENT TEC)
I love the seahorses – Hera I think.
Saw them suddenly whilst walking down Church St. last evening. Looking forward to the completed piece. Gorgeous. Lovely to see the artists in action outside their “Quarter”.
it that happened to my house i would want the perpetraitors jailed !!!. and does this nonsense need planning ? i am thinking about the people in ramsgate with the canoe bolted to the wall and the trouble that caused
Absolutely right ! Those people in London rd Ramsgate who did a lovely feature to their house and TDC tried getting it taken down. Thankfully TDC lost that one.
I can only assume that the property owners have given their consent – and that nobody needs the council’s permission to paint their house whatever colour(s) they like . . .
They DO need permission… sometimes, or so it seems! I think this is far more tasteful, creative and less intrusive:
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2021/12/18/couple-win-planning-appeal-to-keep-beach-themed-extension-cladding-on-ramsgate-home/
I spoke to the organisers. No planning required. All done with owners agreement. Anything that brightens up a drab Margate and highlights an important message works for me. Who knows in what is supposed to be a tourist area, the route may become a tourist attraction. I have walked much of the route and there was rubbish everywhere. The organisers tell me that they are walking the route on Saturday and rubbish will be cleared along the route.
There are organisations fighting for marine conservation long before people think they can make a difference for example the marine conservation society which I have been a member for many years as local organiser also sir David Attenborough on TV defacing people’s property should not happen happen you see this all over the place so called art there are places to exhibit their work also the other environmental groups are non political locally that’s what it’s about.
Hire a billboard instead,,in certain countries, we would call it propaganda,indoctrination,brainwashing etc, here it’s art,art has a place ,not on outside of houses, as others have said surely planning permission would be needed,also ,think of drivers slowing down (not from a speeding position, before the anti car brigade start ) and nearly causing an accident to see them
If only all these undoubtedly talented artists put their efforts into refurbishing the shelters instead…
Agreed.
There are many places in Thanet that are in dire need of a coat of paint . . .
I have seen a few of these when driving around. As much as I wanted to like them I couldn’t.
I didnt think they were as good as others I have seen to be honest.
Plus they are political, if they were just to brighten the place up I might like them.
But personally I am getting abit fed up of the political arty types.
Some right old moody boots on here isnt’ there!
It’s fun art with a serious message.
Hardly political to be against plastic in the sea and in the fields, more highlighting an ever growing problem in modern life. I think they are a great addition to Margate. Positive and brightening up at the end of the summer
We had spotted a few of these artworks around Cliftonville and Westbrook and went out for a drive this evening before it got dark to specifically see more. The ones we have found so far have been absolutely stunning and make their point in a very beautiful but thought-provoking way. We look forward to seeing more now we have the helpful list of addresses from this article.