Raising awareness of marine sustainability through art
Marine sustainability is a cause that is close to the heart of Daedalian Glass Studios Founder, Davia Walmsley. Her family has a long association with the oceans and her maiden name, Davia Davidson, is derived from her paternal Faroese origins. Both her father and grandfather were skippers of deep sea fishing trawlers and she was born in Grimsby – home of the worlds largest fishing fleet during her childhood.
Fishing trawlers in Grimsby preparing to head out to sea.
Indeed, Davia met her husband and Daedalian Glass Studios Technical Director, Chris Walmsley through their mutual membership of a sub aqua diving club. They both also hold an interest in sailing and it is no coincidence that three yacht clubs and the historic deep-sea fishing port in Fleetwood, Lancashire all lie within three miles of our glass studio.
Davia has always felt an affinity with the sea. Her brother (who also became a deep-sea skipper) inspired her to raise awareness of the issues surrounding marine sustainability. On one of his visits they discussed the state of the world oceans. He spoke in great detail on how marine pollution has increased since he first went to sea. He explained how fish stocks were falling, the design of fishing equipment was changing, and toxic pollutants are impacting on the worlds oceans.
“90% of wild fish stocks are over-fished or fully exploited”.
“Fish populations throughout the world’s oceans are contaminated with industrial and agricultural pollutants, collectively known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs).”
Davia was inspired to work on a new art project. She created a series of fish heads that represent the impact of human activity on the marine environment. Before commencing this project, Davia further researched the issues surrounding marine sustainability. She then designed cast glass fish heads that symbolise the impact of poor marine management on fishing stock.
Cast fish heads representing the unseen pollutants consumed by marine life – and in turn by humans.Green fish head designs symbolising the toxic pollution that affects marine life’s physical appearances.This fishing net design represents over-fishing and poor management of marine stock.
“If I can make people aware of marine sustainability. If people look at my art and think about the state of the oceans, and if they pay more attention to what is going on; I will consider this a success. ”
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