Artists have been inspired by what’s billed as the world’s first sustainable, fully biodegradable ink made from regeneratively farmed seaweed
Creators have turned an artistic eye to the topic of ocean health, with a little help from seaweed.
It’s all part of a joint initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and art curators Artwise, which aims to raise cash for ocean conservation projects in the UK and further afield.
Art For Your Oceans (AFYO) is focusing initially on the burgeoning seaweed farming industry, which – the WWF believes – could revolutionise how we think about climate mitigation, ocean health and food security.
The global seaweed farming market was valued at US$20.5bn (£15.3bn) in 2024 and is estimated to reach US$38.5bn (£28.6bn) by 2033.
Forests of seaweed, like those grown by kelp crofters working off the coast of Scotland, act as habitat-boosting carbon sinks. At the same time, seaweed products can be used in everything from animal feed and fertiliser to bioplastics and soap.
In AFYO’s case it was used to create pigments and ink for a roster of 16 artists including Antony Gormley and Anya Gallaccio. The latter added ground-down stones and mollusc shells to the ink to fashion a series of abstract seascapes.
Our oceans are not only home to some of the world’s most amazing wildlife, but also are vital for human livelihoods and fighting climate change
Their work was on show at Sotheby’s in London in May, and will be sold to fund AFYO projects.
“Our oceans are not only home to some of the world’s most amazing wildlife, but also are vital for human livelihoods and fighting climate change,” said Mollie Gupta, seaweed solutions project manager at WWF UK. “The funds raised will help considerably in our fight to bring our world back to life.”
Main image: Christian Sinibaldi
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