A London-based artist announced she would be debuting her artwork of people trapped in nets on the beach this weekend, less than a week before the anniversary of when two children drowned. The installation aims to showcase humans suffocating in nets to highlight the “unfathomable deaths” of fish. However, the event has received backlash for being ‘disrespectful’ following the deaths of 12-year-old Sunnah Khan and 17-year-old Joe Abbess on Bournemouth beach last year.
On May 31, 2023, Sunnah and Joe got into difficulty while swimming near Bournemouth Pier and tragically died. However, artist Stephanie Lane intends to go ahead with the installation saying it is “hypocritical” to be outraged by an event about humans but disregard the lives of fish that “die in a similar way.” In a statement to the Daily Mail, Ms Lane said: “It is hypocritical and speciesist to be outraged by the sensitivity regarding an event that happened to humans, yet completely disregard the lives of those dying in a similar manner on a daily basis.
” Following BCP Council’s refusal for the installation, Ms Lane has redefined the event as a “protest.” Amanda Barrie, BCP Council director of commercial operations, said: “We have been clear to the artist that we will not give permission for their installation on Bournemouth beach this weekend, out of respect for the families as we approach the anniversary of last year’s tragic events. “Disappointingly, the artist’s only reply to.