Adam Moore
Still life by Adam Moore
Eastbourne Pier
Photo by Thierry Bal
Commissioned by Devonshire Collective
Adam Moore
Still life
Still life is an intervention on Eastbourne pier combining image and text with the piers’ unique architecture, choreography, and changing ambience. A digital photograph of the horizon, viewed from the platform upon which the work is printed, carries the last two lines of William Ernest Henley’s 1875 poem Invictus. Henley’s Invictus (Latin for unconquerable) has rippled across the 20th and 21st century quoted by political figures from Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, cited in literary works by authors CS Lewis and W.E.B. Du Bois, even ringing out in the lyrics of Lana Del Rey and The Weekend’s 2017 single Lust for life.
Following the death of his father this spring, Adam found the last lines of Henley’s poem penned in his father’s diary. In Adam’s handwriting the same words dance over a summer morning scene with two slight but intentional edits: the word ‘master’ has been substituted for ‘guardian’, and ‘captain’ has been replaced with ‘safeguard’. While acknowledging the necessity for perseverance and determination in adversity, what can be interpreted in Henley’s poem as the British ‘stiff upper lip’, this public artwork encourages you to pause and to consider yourself neither a ‘master’ nor a ‘captain’ while facing life’s challenges, but the custodian of your future and the caretaker of your life throughout changing circumstances and seasons.
Observing people in Eastbourne drawing close to the expanse, Still life is Adam’s accompaniment for those nestled in seclusion upheld at the end of the pier engaged in the phenomenon of drawing close to the sea and the sky, whatever the weather, dedicated in loving memory to his father, Maurice Moore 1942 — 2023.
Commissioned in partnership with Eastbourne ALIVE, in celebration of the Turner Prize 2023. The artwork is located on Eastbourne Pier. 30 September - 22 December 2023.
About Adam Moore
Adam Moore is a transdisciplinary artist from East London of Caribbean and European heritage. He speaks in a range of artistic languages and strategies, moving freely across dance, architecture, ceramics, design, painting, sculpture, sound, video, and text peaking at multimedia performance installation. He examines the intersectional discourses, technologies, and embodiments of sustainability using transdisciplinary processes in post-studio and socially engaged context. Sprawling beyond institutional walls, his social work with diverse groups across human rights, arts and culture, nonprofit and government welfare, informs his approach to art making, collaboration, and sustainability.
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About Devonshire Collective
Devonshire Collective (DC) is a cultural and community organisation operating across a network of ex-retail sites in the Devonshire West ward, Eastbourne – a vibrant area with a long-standing community.
At their gallery, VOLT, they commission significant first solo exhibitions by emerging and underrepresented artists living in East Sussex and nationally. DC are studio providers to a range of creatives and makers. DC Learn is a learning and engagement programme for families, young people and our communities in Devonshire West ward. The galleries and programmes are free, and open to all.