Tide Line

When is it that we are in our element? This profound question inspires artist Julie Brook’s latest commission, Tide Line: an evocative tidal sculpture along the Fife coastline.

Crafted from locally sourced stones and constructed at low tide, this extraordinary artwork traces the natural contours of the rock bed, engaging directly with the tides and sea state. Julie’s creation is a testament to her deep connection to the landscape, shaped by walking Fife’s coastline and collaborating with local residents and artists. Through a series of hands-on workshops with schools and community groups, she has invited participants to explore their relationship with this remarkable environment.

The commission culminates in a moving performance and choral work, created in collaboration with composer Jay Capperauld, poet Niall Campbell, and choreographer Rosemary Lee OBE – echoing the rhythm of the tides.

The commission is the centrepiece of a 12-day celebration hosted by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. Stretching across the full 117 miles of the Fife Coastal Path, the festival offers a dynamic programme of walking tours and creative events.

Join us to experience the Fife coastline like never before – a celebration where art and nature intertwine, prompting a deeper reflection on our connection to the elements and to ourselves.

About the artist

Julie Brook is a distinguished British artist renowned for her profound engagement with landscapes, creating site-specific works that resonate deeply with the environments she inhabits. Based in the rugged beauty of northwest Scotland, Brook's artistic journey has led her to explore diverse and challenging terrains, from the windswept isles of Orkney, Hoy, and Mingulay to the arid deserts of Libya and northwest Namibia.

In recent years, her practice has expanded to encompass the stark contrasts of human-altered landscapes, including stone and marble quarries in Japan and Italy, juxtaposed with the raw, remote coastlines of the Outer Hebrides. Her work transcends traditional boundaries, reflecting a seamless dialogue between nature’s impermanence and the artist’s intervention.

Brook’s compelling vision was showcased in a major solo exhibition at Abbot Hall, Kendal, in 2023, which later traveled to Pangolin, King’s Place, London, in 2024. That same year, Lund Humphries published What is it that will last?, a richly illustrated monograph delving into her groundbreaking land and tidal art, cementing her reputation as a pivotal voice in contemporary art.

About the partners

The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is a local independent charity dedicated to giving everyone the opportunity to experience Fife’s great outdoors. The Trust manages, maintains and preserves wide areas of the countryside of Fife, promoting responsible access to Fife’s wonderful and diverse outdoor sites.

ArtMovesFife create artist-led journeys through Fife to connect people culture, place and planet. ArtMovesFife is a large-scale collaborative artwork initiated by artists Gillian McFarland and Kate Downie and undertakes sequential and seasonal journeys across Fife, mobilising arts and culture into climate action, working collaboratively with artists and their communities. ArtMovesFife places local artists at the centre of their communities as drivers for environmental improvement, which in turn will open new awarenesses from moving slowly through Fife’s varied landscapes, sharing climate discussion and art actions with a wider Fife community.