20 NOV – 04 DECArt Space Portsmouth
Between Land and Tide — Art Space Portsmouth Exhibition
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Between Land and Tide

Portsmouth · 2026Upcoming

Between Land and Tide

Sculpture · Performance · Film · Public Art · Participation · Site-specific

The Idea

The project explores themes of connection, environmental fragility, and our relationship with the ocean, inviting audiences to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.

Between Land and Tide is a public art project by Olana Light that transforms public spaces through unexpected encounters with large-scale wearable sculpture and live performance across Portsmouth. Inspired by the sea, tidal ecosystems, and Portsmouth's coastal landscape, the project features sea-born female guardians merging with a monumental starfish sculpture created from natural and sustainable materials. Through movement and performance, bodies become part of the landscape, shifting between human and sea-like forms.

The Work

Victoria Park performanceOlana Light
Sea-born female guardian wearable sculptureOlana Light
Monumental starfish sculptureOlana Light
Performer merging with starfish sculptureOlana Light
Portsmouth Historic DockyardSolent Sky Services
Wearable sculpture performance at the Historic DockyardSolent Sky Services
Sea-born guardians in performanceSolent Sky Services
Large-scale wearable sculpture in coastal landscapeSolent Sky Services
Starfish sculpture detailSolent Sky Services
Performance ensemble with wearable sculpturesSolent Sky Services

Materials

What the work is made of.

  • Natural materials
  • Sustainable materials
  • Hessian
  • Sand

Place

Inspired by the sea, tidal ecosystems, and Portsmouth's coastal landscape, the project moves through Victoria Park, the Historic Dockyard, Hotwalls Studios, Southsea Beach and Palmerston Road — bringing art into the everyday spaces of the city.

Participation

Alongside the live performances and large-scale sculpture, Between Land and Tide includes creative workshops inviting communities to engage with the themes of the project through making. Participants are invited to create their own starfish using pre-cut hessian shapes and a variety of natural materials. Open to all ages and abilities, the workshops encourage imagination, conversation, and shared experiences.

Create something together

Come along

See it in person.

  • 20 NOV – 04 DECUpcoming

    Between Land and Tide — Art Space Portsmouth Exhibition

    Art Space Portsmouth, Portsmouth

    10:00–15:00

    Exhibition of Between Land and Tide at Art Space Portsmouth.

Recognition & Commission

Commissioned by

  • Arts Council England

Funded by

  • Arts Council England
  • Portsmouth City Council
  • Portsmouth Creates

Partners

  • Art Space Portsmouth
  • Hotwalls Studios
  • Fratton Together
  • City Arts Portsmouth
  • Victoria Park Portsmouth
  • Sustainable Conservation Trust
  • Portsmouth Historic Quarter

Awards

  • Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant 2026
  • Lisa Ullmann Travelling Scholarship Fund Award 2026

Press

The Conversation · Matt Smith

Between Land and Tide: giant starfish washes up in Portsmouth in this apocalyptic performance art

Credits

Performers: Anna Barzotti, Caroline Broadbent / Maud Dean, Jo Rose, Kate Jones, Olana Light, Ruth Goldwyn Choreographer: Kate Jones Sound: Olana Light Sound Mentor: Emily Peasgood Videography: Solent Sky Services, Olana Light