By Isle of Wight Observer
The spiny seahorse and corkwing wrasse have made a colourful debut in Ryde — in miniature. These vibrant marine creatures are the latest exhibit at Re:Box, the town’s tiniest gallery, tucked inside a red phone box on Lind Street.
The installation offers a preview of Sheltered, a summer-long public art project that will transform 14 seafront seating shelters along Appley into vivid tributes to local marine life. Each shelter will feature a different species found in Island waters, from seagrass meadows to tidal flats.
Led by artists, Alice Malia and Laura Hathaway, with input from marine biologist Theo Vickers, the project aims to celebrate the Island’s coastal ecology while brightening weathered seafront structures. The shelters will become both shaded rest spots and places to learn about conservation through art.
“By bringing a glimpse of sea life to Lind Street, we hope to spark curiosity and encourage people to explore the full murals at Appley,” said Zoë Barker, who co-curates Re:Box with writer, Anmarie Bowler.
The project coincides with the IW Biosphere Festival, which runs from Friday, June 28 to Saturday, July 6.