Jeremy Deller's Roman Mosaic Installed at Scarborough Marine Drive
Jeremy Deller's permanent public artwork, Romanic Mosaic c. 2025, opens April 26 at the new Marine Drive sea observation station in Scarborough, Yorkshire. The large Roman-style mosaic, created with mosaicist Coralie Turpin and local community input, covers part of the station's pavement. It depicts local marine life including dolphins, minke whales, porpoises, seals, crabs, lobsters, octopus, squid, fish, and a rare little auk, alongside a Roman wind deity and a fishing boat inspired by ancient Pompeii mosaics. The work is part of the Wild Eye project curated by Jeanine Griffin, a nature and art trail also featuring works by Ryan Gander, Emma Smith, Paul Morrison, Juneau Projects, and Shezad Dawood with Daisy Hildyard. The mosaic intentionally appears fragmentary, like an ancient relic unearthed, with gaps inviting viewers to imagine the complete scene. Deller, winner of the 2004 Turner Prize, describes art as 'a way to stay in love with the world' and a form of magic. The station includes telescopes and information panels about local wildlife.
Key facts
- Jeremy Deller's Romanic Mosaic c. 2025 is a permanent installation at Scarborough's Marine Drive sea observation station.
- The work opens April 26, 2025.
- It is a large Roman-style mosaic covering part of the station's pavement.
- Deller collaborated with mosaicist Coralie Turpin and local community, scientists, environmentalists, and archaeologists.
- The mosaic depicts local marine life: dolphins, minke whales, porpoises, seals, birds, crabs, lobsters, octopus, squid, fish, and a rare little auk.
- It includes a Roman wind deity and a fishing boat inspired by ancient Pompeii mosaics.
- The mosaic is intentionally fragmentary to appear as an ancient relic just unearthed.
- The work is part of the Wild Eye project curated by Jeanine Griffin, featuring other artists: Ryan Gander, Emma Smith, Paul Morrison, Juneau Projects, Shezad Dawood with Daisy Hildyard.
- The observation station is equipped with telescopes and information panels about local wildlife.
- Jeremy Deller won the Turner Prize in 2004.
Entities
Artists
- Jeremy Deller
- Coralie Turpin
- Ryan Gander
- Emma Smith
- Paul Morrison
- Juneau Projects
- Shezad Dawood
- Daisy Hildyard
- Jeanine Griffin
Institutions
- Turner Prize
- Wild Eye
- Marine Drive
Locations
- Scarborough
- Yorkshire
- England
- London
- Pompeii