17 International contemporary artists join local residents in highlighting the need to tackle the town’s litter crisis

Martin Whatson by Conor Gault - @conorgaultphoto

Local community interest company, RISE UP. CLEAN UP. MARGATE. has partnered with Margate-based and globally acclaimed artist, Louis Masai to bring creatives, commerce and community together and turn Margate plastic free.

Dubbed the ‘RISE UP RESIDENCY’ 17 contemporary artists from around the world have descended on Margate to create multiple painted murals, each one with a message dedicated to raising awareness of ocean conservation and the issues caused by plastic in and near our oceans.

In the last two years, more than 3000kg of rubbish has been collected from the seaside town’s beaches, the majority of which is single use plastic and packaging.

Each installation has dedicated partners, ranging from climate NGOs such as Sea Shepherd, to sustainable brands, including NatraCare, a company producing eco-friendly product alternatives for periods, as well as a variety of local businesses and National Cultural Centre, People Dem Collective.

Each mural will be carefully mapped-out throughout the famous seaside town in order to create the biggest impact within the community. Virtual and printable tour maps will be available on the Rise Up website for those who want to follow the trail. There will also be additional activities for kids which will make for a fun day out, especially during half term!

Amy Cook, founder of RISE UP. CLEAN UP. Margate, said, “We have embarked on a mission to clean up Margate’s beaches and protect our stunning local coastline, ocean and our native wildlife. However, just cleaning up what people leave behind isn’t enough. We need genuine systemic change that looks to eliminate the problem at the source.

“My hope is that the RISE UP RESIDENCY, leads to changes in policy and actions that can help to usher in an era where Margate becomes single-use plastic free. Beyond that, I hope other seaside towns will follow suit and together we can help to bring about real change and preserve our gorgeous coastline for generations to come.”

Smug One by Conor Gault - @conorgaultphoto

Louis Masai (read our interview here), artist lead on the project and Margate resident, said, “When creatives, communities and commercial entities work together for the common good, the results can be genuinely astounding.

“While we’re waving the ﬂag through street art and installations, we want other coastal communities to tap into their own authentic creativity and use the RISE UP RESIDENCY as a template to host their form of community activism.

“Whether it’s music, art, theatre or poetry, focusing on the message and coming together as one is what will bring about the change we all need to see for a healthier, kinder regenerative future.”

DouDou by Conor Gault - @conorgaultphoto

Daniel Webb, Founder of Everyday Plastic added: “Coastal towns feel the eﬀects of the plastic crisis more keenly than anywhere else. What’s great about Margate is that it has an active and diverse community which not only recognises the impact of the plastic crisis, but also feels galvanised to do something to tackle it. It’s clear we cannot rely on the government to implement the necessary actions to make the change happen. Which is why it is local businesses that are integral to pushing forward change and oﬀering ﬂexibility and solutions to the community.

“We here at Everyday Plastic are right behind the Rise Up Margate residency; it has huge potential to impact how the plastic crisis is communicated and tackled within the town both for residents and visitors. And that’s what’s really important - to empower our residents and visitors to believe that their actions – whatever they are – can make a diﬀerence to their environment”

For more information about all the artists and the mural map, visit http://riseupresidency.co.uk/

To keep in touch with the project and other activities from Rise Up Clean Up, please visit https://www.riseupcleanup.co.uk/.