Painting Hastings

This is the painter David Reeve. He is inspired by the land and seascape of Hastings. He captures the essence of the place and serves it up in a way that gently encourages the viewer to celebrate space, light and sea as it reveals boats and the legacy of a fading fish economy. David’s art reminds us of the connection the town has with the sea.

Artist David Reeve, 2010

I feel these photographs were influenced by the conversations that leap from Reeve’s Hastings paintings. As a photographer I am aware of the moment in time that can be captured by a short exposure. This mechanical or digital process is of a different order to the painting Reeve returns to year after year in a continuing exploration of the land and sea around Hastings.

Empty fishing boat on the beach in Hastings, 2000

The absence of fisherman in this photograph (above) suggests that the boat is a monument to a bygone era where the sea was central to Hastings life.

Boat on Buriganga river, Dhaka 1998

The fishing boat in Dhaka is alive with fisherman. The boat on the Hastings beach seems lifeless and abandoned.

Fishing boat, Hastings 2000