York Rescue Boat Stunt

A public art stunt created in collaboration with AOP Projects, with the help of York's Boat Rescue crew.

We used the rescue boat to position a David Attenborough artwork on the riverbank, placing it in a highly visible spot from one of the city’s main bridges.

The piece was created as a visual statement on climate change, using a simple intervention rather than a heavy message.

By placing the work directly at the water’s edge, the idea became immediate and hard to ignore.

People crossing the bridge were met with the image of Attenborough looking out from the riverbank — a familiar figure used to communicate something urgent.

The project was made possible through AOP Projects and the support of York Boat Rescue, who helped position the work in a location that would not otherwise be accessible.

This was a quick, reactive intervention — but one that showed how a simple idea, placed in the right location, can carry real impact.