Margate Motto
Porta Maris Portus Salutis is the Margate town motto meaning Gateway to the Sea and Haven of Health, here sketched in the style of the logo for Universal Credit.
The 2019 artwork was inspired by Sharon Goodyear and the amazing Summer Kitchen project she runs in Margate. She knew that families were going without or eating unhealthy food during the school holidays and for the last 2 years she and her team have been providing free food and essential items for struggling people. Where ever Universal Credit is rolled out, food poverty and a rise in food banks follows, only one of the serious consequences of this highly controversial policy.
Feedback from local councillors who have worked with UC claimants paint a grim picture of dependency on loan sharks, evictions and parents feeding their children but not themselves.
The temporary installation in Fez pub in Margate High Street is there for the duration of the Turner Prize exhibition at the Turner Contemporary Gallery. Mooch also crowd funded for a 12 metre banner which was displayed on the harbour wall to highlight Margate’s struggle with food poverty The project hopes to sketch a mis-match between the motto's aspirations and the struggles of life for so many good people in Margate.
https://www.drapersmillsprimary.co.uk/…/det…/summer-kitchen/
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/…/last-two-summer-kitchen-…/
Mooch is greatly indebted to Phil Evans at the marvellous Fez for supporting this project. Go and have a pint at this fantastic pub!
https://www.facebook.com/Fez-Margate-1004144649627700/?ref=br_rs
