Fine Art students from Newcastle University are exhibiting their work at a Mexican university museum as part of an international collaboration.
One Sea Only / Un Solo Mar explores climate change, environmental degradation and our shared relationship with the world's oceans. The exhibition is on display at the Museum of Arts of the University of Guadalajara (MUSA) and brings together artist books created by students and academics from Newcastle University and the University of Guadalajara's University Center of the Coast (CUCosta).
The works on display are the result of more than a year of collaborative work led by Mexican artist and Newcastle University lecturer, Erika Servín González, and CUC professor Elba Ireri Topete. Between 2024 and 2025, students from both institutions were connected through meetings online, a shared Instagram account and by working together in artists books, creating an artistic dialogue that transcended the geographical and climatic differences between Puerto Vallarta and Newcastle.
Through artists books the exhibition explores the idea that we are connected by one shared ocean, inviting visitors to reflect on our relationship with the sea and our collective responsibility to protect marine environments for future generations.
Creating global connections through art
One Sea Only demonstrates how creative practice can build connections across cultures, bringing people together to reflect on shared environmental challenges. The project explores the sea as a meeting point between communities, cultures and experiences. The collaboration also gave students valuable experience of international working, creative exchange and collective practice, strengthening their artistic and professional skills.
Erika Servín said:
‘One Sea Only was an ambitious project that brought together students from different countries, cultures and environments through a shared creative process. As they exchanged ideas, images and experiences, they discovered not only what makes their communities unique, but also what they have in common and the challenges they share. They created allies and friends.
‘The sea became a symbol of their interconnectedness, inspiring students to learn from one another and engage in meaningful international dialogue. By working together across borders, they created thoughtful artists books that show the power of collaboration, cultural exchange and creative research. The resulting works encourage viewers to see the ocean as something that connects us all and to consider how we can protect it for future generations.’
Continuing the collaboration
One Sea Only will be on display from 1 July to 30 August 2026 at the Museum of Arts of the University of Guadalajara, western Mexico. It features work by 22 Newcastle University BA and postgraduate Fine Art students and 17 undergraduate Fine Arts Printmaking students from CUCosta, alongside project leads Servín and Topete.
The exhibition builds on Newcastle University's growing artistic links with Mexico. In 2023, Newcastle University and University of Guadalajara CUC had a print exchange, with artwork exhibited in both countries. In 2024, Servín curated THE TOON, an exhibition featuring work by Newcastle University Fine Art lecturers at Talleres de Arte Contemporáneo (TACO) in Mexico City, as well as another print exchange exhibition, UNION, with La Esmeralda (National School of Painting, Sculpture and printmaking in Mexico City).
Following its run at MUSA, the artist books created for One Sea Only will also be exhibited in Los Angeles and then will arrive in the UK for an exhibition at Newcastle University’s Ex Libris gallery from 15-29 March 2027, giving audiences on both sides of the Atlantic the opportunity to engage with the project.
The project was funded by the Grodman Grant for Repatriation of Talent, awarded by the Grodman Legacy and the University of Guadalajara Foundation-USA, and the Barlett Fund.
Learn more about Newcastle University’s Fine Art programme or the Museum of Arts of the University of Guadalajara here.
The following students have been involved in One Sea Only:
Newcastle University students
Amy Sasaki-Fletcher, Arina Costache, Bella Benson, Bobbie Felstead, Cassia Thynne, Charlotte Brecken, Daisy Fonicello, Eddie Zand Goodarzi, Eirini Bosinakou, Florence Evenden, Hannah Thompson, Hannah Ware, Hazel Jarvis, Jake Hoban, Kiera Ryan, Krishna Hanns, Lottie Simpson, Melinda McGarry, Mim Ansell, Nada Ibrahim, Olivia Reeves, Thalia Elliot.
CUCosta students
Ana Castro, Andrea Soto, Angela Gamez, Celia Ayon, Cucui, Denisse Balderas, Fatima Mora, Genesis Haro, Geo-Ciclico, Karen Suarez, Limoon, Lyn Headshot, Maria Jose Valencia, Montserrat Hernandez, Noe Urbina, Ommary Diaz, Tamayo.
See more of the students work here.