Between a Sea and a Shore by Ella Mahoney

Between a Sea and a Shore is a storytelling project which took place in the spring of 2021 as part of Tending the Edge on the shores of the Rockaways. Ella Mahoney explored human relationships with the ocean through peoples' stories with water by asking them the questions “what is your story with water?” and “how do you care for the water, or how does it help you care for yourself?”. The exploration ended with this painting representing stories of joy, awe, and humbling, being carried into the ocean in celebration and play.

Between the Sea and the Shore: Storytelling in Far Rockaway

Ella Mahoney

Knowing that the stories we tell about the relationships we have with the earth affect how we interact with it, “Between a Sea and a Shore” explores our relationships with the shore through people’s stories with water asking them the questions; “what is your story with water?” and “how do you care for the water, or how does it help you care for yourself?” Ella Mahoney will be recording stories primarily from people of color accessing the shore and water of the Rockaways. From late April to June, she will interview and record surfers and beachgoers voices and create a large-scale silk painting in response to the conversations. In June the painting will be carried into the water as a performance and public presentation.