Andrew Hughes

Andy Hughes is a British visual artist and photographer who focuses on plastic pollution, surf culture and issues around climate change and sustainability issues. His work has been featured in various broadcast and print media including the BBC, National Geographic and The Guardian Environmental and exhibited internationally. He is currently the 2019 Sustainable Earth Institute Creative Associates at the University of Plymouth. Andy often discusses his work as an artist and activist and expresses his strong environmental and political beliefs. In 2013 Andy came face to face with a grizzly bear on a remote beach in Alaska, it was both terrifying and sublime, a moment to treasure cemented in his mind forever.

Andy was invited to Alaska as one of three international artists and seven scientists to work on the project Gyre: The Plastic Ocean, this was the worlds first unique project that explored the integration of science and art to document and interpret the issue of plastic pollution in the marine and coastal environment. Andy worked in conjunction with scientists from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration including noted author and ecologist Carl Safina. His thirty-year odyssey looking at and making art about plastic pollution and the coastal environment began in 1989. Born in a mining community in Yorkshire his life changed dramatically after studying Fine Art and learning to surf before receiving a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, London. He was an early member of the well known Surfers Against Sewage and attended the first ever parliamentary demonstration in 1991.

He is an affiliate artis with the Plastic Pollution Coalition, Los Angeles and supports other charities and NGO’s who campaign for cleaner seas and a greener are sustainable planet. He has given many talks at various conferences such as the Blue Mind Summit, Art and the Anthropocene at Trinity College, and currently a juror for the Dopper Changemaker Challenge 2019. Andy has published a number of books including the groundbreaking Dominant Wave Theory, this book includes essays by world-leading scientists including Dr. Richard Thompson OBE, published by Booth-Clibborn Editions, London and Abrams, New York. Andy was the first Artist in Residence at Tate Gallery St. Ives, he lives and works in Cornwall, England.

Andy has also just been awarded the prestigious 'Creative Award’ in the second instalment of the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Awards. The awards ceremony brought together environmental activists and community leaders from around the world. People from all walks of life, including young campaigners, small businesses, sports clubs and schools, were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the plastic free movement. Previous winners include Sir David Attenborough (Sir Malcolm Walker Award). Head Judge, Lucy Siegle hosted the evening alongside an expert panel of judges which included BBC Wildlife presenter Gillian Burke and Richard Walker of Iceland Foods. Andy was presented with a beautiful steam bent wooden trophy designed by local Cornish artist Tom Raffield. Andy said "I'm really thrilled to receive the award, I was impressed to see all the other nominees all the extraordinary efforts being made to tackle the plastic problem".