Never at sea

This critical commentary explores the creative development and research process of Never at Sea (2023), an interdisciplinary work utilizing film, sculpture, performance, and sound to encapsulate experiences of erosion and loss in response to the politicisation of people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom. Never at Sea identifies water as a site of journey, absence, and a place of loss and death. The authors argue that creative practice has a unique ability to sit with uncertainty, change, and challenging topics, therefore making the work of artists crucial in responding to current social and political issues. Importantly, we explore the potential and possibility of immersive, screen-based art as a medium for engendering empathy and creating a space for nuanced debate.