The idea behind this installation is to show how our rivers are being used as gutters presently, with the dumping of raw sewage and the lack of infrastructure improvement or government/regulators intervention.

I combine multiple images to build a relationship with a trio of my local rivers over time and like to bring a 3D element into the work using reclaimed or natural materials. The top of the lengths of gutter show these rivers in relatively healthy state, prior to degradation over time, with the build-up of sewage and litter at the bottom of the pipes.

There have been drinking water issues this year. The levels of E.Coli in the River Wey water near Guildford have been found to be seventeen times the safe level (testing equipment from UniS) and the local council are advising residents to be careful of going in the water as children have become sick.

My concern for the natural world and systems, especially our waterways, and the threat to the biodiversity that depends upon it, is at the core of this triptych. I ask what can we do to protect and preserve our precious chalk streams, rivers and seas for all of life?

Angela Shaw, environmental artist, MA Art & Environment (Falmouth)
Artist website www.angelashaw.org