Afonso Rocha and Simon Linington on Home, Longing, and the Sea

Afonso Rocha and Simon Linington, two artists who grew up by the sea, presented a duo exhibition titled 'Where the Land Meets the Sea' at The Tagli. The show explores landscape, memory, and place through Rocha's paintings and Linington's sculptures. Rocha's work juxtaposes old memories with present concerns, using figures as 'placeholders' for personal projection. Linington's sculptures incorporate glass tubes filled with sand from Alum Bay on the Isle of Wight, inspired by Victorian objects and his family's history of making them. Rocha moved to London three years ago and now reflects on 'home' as something left behind. Linington began making his sculptures while living abroad during the pandemic. Both artists emphasize the influence of their coastal upbringing, with water symbolizing home and calm. Rocha's figures include friends and family, while Linington's boxes function as interconnected containers. The exhibition was well-attended despite strikes and bad weather. Rocha hinted at upcoming projects in 2027.