I am so pleased to have been selected for the Light the South 2024 art trail in Southampton. My lighthouse sculpture, created for Southampton Children’s Hospital, is a deeply personal piece that reflects my lifelong love of the ocean and my passion for art that connects and heals.

Growing up by the coast, the sea has always been part of me. Its rhythms, colours and mysteries shaped my childhood; and my design. When I began designing this sculpture, I knew I wanted to celebrate both healthy oceans and human healing in a way that felt meaningful and grounded.

The sculpture is painted in vibrant shades of blue, turquoise, red and pink – capturing the movement and energy of the sea. Fish swim through the heart and lungs into a fish tank at the base of the lighthouse. This tank represents the circulatory system of the ocean with blood represented by colourful fish flowing from red (oxygenated) to blue (deoxygenated), symbolising a thriving and cared-for ecosystem. Inside the tank are two small sandcastles. This detail is a tribute to my father, who passed away from cancer. He loved building sandcastles with me and my siblings. Including them in this piece is my way of honouring his memory.

This piece brings together two vital systems – our bodies and our seas. The heart, lungs and fish tank aren’t just visual elements; they’re a reminder that oceans need care too. By linking medical imagery with marine life, we can see how recovery, resilience, and responsibility are connected.

Pictured here at the John Hansard Gallery. The lighthouse sculpture also appeared at Paultons Park, Cowes Week, and the Southampton International Boat Show.