Borth’s beach is a constant source of inspiration for artists and writers. In the drypoint print Crabs and Gulls, the artist Stuart Evans responds to a short story by writer Mike Francis as part of their continuing collaboration. In the story a young woman – Morwenna – is forced to put off revealing something important to her family when her parents’ friends arrive to spend the weekend.
During a visit to the beach, the guests’ five-year-old daughter goes missing after sea fog descends suddenly on the village. Joining the search, Morwenna finds herself trapped by the fog, questioning everything she is doing, before eventually finding the girl, cold and alone, with two crabs in a bucket. In Stuart’s image, reflecting themes from the story, the crabs find freedom by transforming into seagulls and flying into a clear sky.
