explained
Landing Zones
The UK’s political landscape has become increasingly filled with rhetoric concerning migration, with stopping the small boats that bring refugees into the UK now being one of the government’s five pledges. For many refugees, the final stage of their journey involves a perilous crossing of the English Channel, known as la Manche in France, in small boats. Their arrival has emboldened political agitators and commentators, some with xenophobic views. The coast lines on both sides of the water are littered with the scars and debris of centuries of crossings, defences and invasions. In response to this critical issue, I have embarked on this photographic project focused on the coastlines of northeast France and southeast England, the setting for part of this migration story.
These works were on show at the Brick Lane Gallery in 2023. A few editions are still available. Please contact gordon@gordonmassie.com if you would like to enquire about buying a print. All profits from this series, after production and sales costs, will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Amnesty International UK.
Please note: each of the six images in the body of work are editioned as follows; 25 editions split into 5 sized A1 and 20 Sized A4 (plus 3 AP’s that are not part of the sale)
Dungeness, Kent (1)
On the beach at Dungeness looking towards the RNLI lifeboat station that houses The Morrell, the current active lifeboat. Steeped in rich history this station also participated in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Often seen in the media, The Morrell, crewed by volunteers, is active in many missions to rescue people in danger on the sea, including refugees on small boats.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s
Dungeness, Kent (2)
For decades the lifeboat at Dungeness was hauled by hand to the water’s edge by the local villagers before launching and hauled back up on its return. This process is now done using a tractor and trailer. This image shows the tracks of numerous launches.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s
Sangatte, Pas-de-Calais (1)
On the beach at Sangatte facing the English coast. This is often the launch point for small boats that will carry refugees on the perilous crossing to the UK.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s
Sangatte, Pas-de-Calais (2)
The strong wind blows waves of sand towards a queue of groins, ominously resembling human forms. In the distance a cross channel ferry approaches the port of Calais while on the horizon we see the distant shape of ships navigating one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. This is often the sight faced by refugees about to embark on their perilous crossing.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s
Rye Harbour, East Sussex (1)
Looking across the English channel from the disused Rye Harbour Lifeboat Station. On 15 November 1928, the lifeboat Mary Stanford was launched to assist the Alice, a small Latvian vessel in difficulty off Dungeness. The weather conditions were among the worst in living memory. The boat and all her crew were lost at sea. The lifeboat station has stood empty as a memorial since that date.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s
Rye Harbour, East Sussex (2)
Looking towards the English Channel from Rye Harbour this pillbox is one of twenty-eight thousand hardened field fortifications constructed on the UK coast. Vickers machineguns were placed in this pillbox during the Second World War for use as a defence against enemy invasion.
MEDIUM; Photograph Giclée print on Canson Baryta Gloss Paper Edition size 25 (5 in A1 and 20 in A4) plus 3 AP’s