Award-winning artists are displaying the magic of the seas, highlighting the importance of marine conservation zones.

The amazing work of the winners of the Wildlife Trust’s Underwater Art Award goes on show in Dorset this month.

Established in 2007 in association with the Society of Wildlife Artists, the award provides a bursary for an established artist to learn to dive and work underwater off the coast, recording the wildlife of the sea in art.

Works range from paintings to sculpture from around the coast of Britain to raise awareness of the plight of our marine life.

Peter Tinsley, Dorset Wildlife Trust’s living seas manager, who founded the award, said: “This is a unique chance to see our marine world through the eyes of our very different artists from their very different diving experiences.

“We are extremely grateful to them for supporting the cause of our sea wildlife at this crucial time.”

Painter Antonia Phillips from Swanage dived off the Dorset coast along with Esther Tyson from Derbyshire and Kim Atkinson from North Wales and Harriet Mead, sculptor and president of the SWLA, discovered the delights of the Norfolk coast.

Harriet said: “The marine habitat is an environment that few people have the chance to experience, so not only did the diving inspire my work it has also made me determined to spread the word about the precious world that surrounds the UK coastline.”

  • Of THE 127 potential conservation zones identified by the trust, the government proposes to designate only 31.

The trusts are urging people to support a full network of protected areas by responding to a public consultation that closes on March 31.

The Underwater Art for Action Exhibition is open until March 26 at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre.
  To have your say on the zones go to wildlifetrusts.org