World-Renowned Underwater Sculptor Inspires Perivale Artists at IMPACT Theatre

Neurodivergent artists and performers at IMPACT Theatre in Perivale have welcomed internationally renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor after his extraordinary environmental artworks helped inspire their own creative project.

A creative connection stretching from the ocean floor to Perivale is developing after internationally acclaimed sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor visited artists and performers at IMPACT Theatre.

Taylor, whose underwater museums and sculpture parks have attracted worldwide attention, attended a performance of Red Rope Live at IMPACT Community Arts Centre in Perivale.

The project explores plastic pollution and the environment through an imaginative combination of film, digital art, dance, music, poetry and visual artwork.

And the relationship is set to continue.

Taylor has now invited IMPACT artists to visit his workshop in Kent, where they will have the opportunity to explore sculpture, recycled materials and new artistic techniques.

At a Glance & FAQs

• International sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor visited IMPACT Theatre in Perivale
• His environmental sculptures helped inspire IMPACT's Red Rope project
• Red Rope combines film, art, dance, music and poetry
• The work explores plastic pollution and the environment
• IMPACT works with people with learning disabilities through performing and creative arts
• Taylor has created more than 1,200 sculptures in marine and tidal environments
• IMPACT artists have now been invited to visit his workshop in Kent
• The artists will explore sculpture and recycled materials

From the Ocean Floor to Perivale

Jason deCaires Taylor is known internationally for an unusual form of art.

Rather than displaying his sculptures solely in conventional galleries, many of his works have been installed beneath the sea.

More than 1,200 of his sculptures can now be found in marine and tidal environments around the world, forming underwater museums and sculpture parks.

His combination of art and environmental themes provided inspiration for artists at IMPACT Theatre as they developed Red Rope.

The project has evolved over several years and explores the impact of plastic pollution on the oceans.

Instead of approaching the subject through one artistic discipline, IMPACT's performers and artists have combined numerous forms of creative expression.

Film and digital art sit alongside dance, music, poetry and physical artwork to communicate the environmental message.

Red Rope Reaches a Wider Audience

The Red Rope project dates back to 2019.

Its reach has subsequently extended well beyond Perivale, with an earlier version screened at London's Southbank Centre in 2023.

Taylor visited IMPACT with his family during the organisation's two-week Harmony and Nature Festival, held in August.

He watched Red Rope Live and met the artists and performers involved in creating the work.

For the Perivale artists, it provided an opportunity to meet the person whose internationally recognised environmental work had helped inspire their own project.

The Creative Relationship Continues

The story does not end with Taylor's visit.

IMPACT's artists have now been invited to his workshop in Kent.

The proposed visit will give participants the opportunity to develop practical skills, investigate different artistic techniques and explore how sculpture and recycled materials can be used creatively.

That makes the collaboration particularly interesting.

What began with local artists drawing inspiration from the work of an internationally established sculptor is developing into an opportunity for them to learn directly from him.

Creativity at the Heart of Perivale

IMPACT Theatre is based at Ealing Central Sports Ground on Horsenden Lane South in Perivale.

The charity works with people with learning disabilities from across west London through performing and creative arts. Its activities encompass areas including theatre, music, dance and visual art.

The Community Arts Centre also provides facilities for other local artists, performers and community groups, while income generated from hiring its facilities supports IMPACT's activities and services.

Projects such as Red Rope demonstrate how that work can connect local creativity with much wider issues.

Plastic pollution is a global environmental challenge, but in Perivale it has become the inspiration for music, performance, poetry, digital media and visual art created by neurodivergent artists.

Now, with a connection established between IMPACT and one of the world's best-known underwater sculptors, the artists behind Red Rope have an opportunity to take their work in another direction.

For a creative project that began in Perivale, that is quite a journey.