German-Brazilian artist Janaina Tschäpe presents her first major solo exhibition in a UK gallery at Hastings Contemporary, titled "Conversations with the sea." Running from June 13 to September 13, 2026, the show fills the Foreshore Gallery with new large-scale seascape paintings, watercolours, and a film piece, all created in direct response to Tschäpe's visit to storm-lashed Hastings in winter 2025. The works explore water as force and movement, blending abstraction with environmental themes, and are shown alongside seascapes by Miguel Rothschild and works by Moore/Freud.
The exhibition matters because it marks a significant institutional debut for Tschäpe in the UK, highlighting her unique visual language that bridges lyrical abstraction, memory, and ecological consciousness. By situating her work in a gallery directly by the sea, the show deepens the dialogue between art and natural forces, offering visitors a contemplative experience that contrasts with Rothschild's dramatic seascapes. It also underscores Hastings Contemporary's role in presenting leading international artists alongside emerging voices.