The sun feeds the wind: Celebrating hastings’ fishing heritage at hastings contemporary
A groundbreaking exhibition, The sun feeds the wind, will open at hastings contemporary in spring 2025, bringing to light the rich and often overlooked histories of Hastings’ fishing community. Running from 29 march to 14 september 2025 in the gallery’s Foreshore Gallery, this immersive exhibition seeks to preserve and celebrate the town’s living maritime heritage, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the traditions and stories of one of Britain’s oldest fishing ports.
This ambitious project has received a substantial grant of £249,972 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and forms part of a wider programme celebrating the unique knowledge, skills, and practices of the Hastings fishing fleet. In partnership with Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, Hastings Contemporary aims to create an extensive online archive of oral histories, an illustrated map of the historic Stade area, and a series of community events that highlight the enduring significance of fishing in the town’s cultural fabric.
A living archive of maritime voices
At the heart of The Sun Feeds the Wind is an oral history archive, meticulously gathered and curated by Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society alongside artist Mary Hooper. Over the years, Hooper has cultivated a deep connection with the Hastings fishing community, recording conversations that provide an intimate portrait of their lives, struggles, and hopes for the future. This archive will form the basis of an immersive sound installation, enveloping visitors in the voices and stories of the fishermen who have navigated these waters for centuries.
Paul Joy, Chairman of Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society, encapsulated the project’s significance: “Inshore fishing faces immediate and existential threats, but as fishermen, we are eternally optimistic for a brighter future. As custodians of the sea, we connect our town to its history, with traditions that pre-date 1066, and to its future—offering answers to the challenges facing our oceans and coastal communities. We are excited to share our stories and preserve them for future generations.”
A multi-sensory exhibition
Designed by Jane Bruce, with moving imagery from local artist Nichola Bruce and video designer Sam Sharples, the exhibition will seamlessly blend visuals and sound to create an engaging and deeply personal experience. The perspectives of the fishing community will be woven throughout the exhibition, with text, tours, recordings, talks, and workshops offering deeper insight into their way of life. The histories collected will also be transcribed and archived at The Keep, ensuring a lasting legacy.
Hastings Contemporary is further expanding its reach by establishing a Listening Station in a new mobile studio, funded by the UK shared prosperity fund. This mobile unit will host a series of workshops and community activities, allowing visitors and residents alike to engage with the project in innovative ways.
A legacy of resilience and change
Hastings is home to one of Britain’s most historically significant fishing ports, with roots tracing back to Viking times. The Stade, the town’s beach launching site, has been in use for over a millennium, serving as the lifeblood of Hastings’ maritime culture. However, the industry now faces unprecedented challenges, including the climate crisis, shifting regulations, and an ageing workforce. Today, the Hastings fleet has dwindled to around 25 boats, making it one of the last remaining beach-launched fishing fleets in Europe.
Kathleen Soriano, Interim Director at Hastings Contemporary, highlighted the project’s cultural importance: “We are so excited to announce this important partnership project, made possible by The national lottery heritage fund. It will allow us to find new creative ways to celebrate and share the rich industrial and cultural heritage of our town, showcasing traditions, practices, and sounds that are at risk of being lost.”
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Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The national lottery heritage Fund, echoed these sentiments: “We are delighted to support hastings contemporary with their project to capture and share the intangible cultural heritage of the Hastings fishing fleet. This grant, made possible by national lottery players, ensures that the voices and memories of this community can be heard for generations to come.”
Part of a wider celebration of maritime life
The exhibition is part of a season of programming at hastings vontemporary exploring life above and below the waves. Alongside The Sun Feeds the Wind, the gallery will present Undersea, a sweeping exhibition of paintings, prints, drawings, and objects spanning four centuries and curated by art historian James Russell. Together, these exhibitions offer a profound exploration of the sea’s influence on art, industry, and heritage.
By bringing the voices of Hastings’ fishermen to the forefront, The Sun Feeds the Wind not only preserves the past but also offers a lens through which to understand the pressing challenges facing coastal communities today. Through storytelling, art, and community engagement, this project ensures that the legacy of Hastings’ fishing heritage remains an enduring part of the town’s cultural identity.
