World Oceans Day 2020
Visual Arts Unit
World Oceans Day Catalogue of artwork by students of the Visual Arts Unit Department of Creative and Festival Arts The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus
Front and back covers: Detail of Nudibranch by Shireen Ragobir. Catalogue layout by Marsha Pearce. Š 2020
World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8. The day puts a spotlight on the need to protect and restore our shared ocean. Annual efforts around the globe take the form of various awareness-raising events. This year, the Visual Arts Unit at the UWI Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) collaborated with the UWI Faculty of Life Sciences. Judith Gobin, Professor of Marine Biology, met with students from our Bachelor’s Degree programme to talk about the critical role the ocean plays in sustaining life on earth. Oceans are a major food source and they produce over half of the world’s oxygen. The ocean is also key in processes of regulating climate systems and is therefore relevant to urgent conversations about climate change. Yet, our oceans are in peril. Our students processed this information and took creative action. The selected works in this catalogue are the culmination of research and thought on the meaningful ways we can communicate ideas about conservation and environmental responsibility. We believe art has a significant place in discussions about pressing matters impacting our world. According to artist Peter Liversidge: “Art…can invite people to think in a different way about how they may or may not go about what they do.” It was our hope to invite you to a physical showing of artworks by our students but the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols for social distancing compelled us to reconfigure our public presentation. While our “exhibition” has taken on a new shape, a spirit of artivism remains at the core of the art practices shared in these pages. Thank you to the students. Many thanks to Professor Gobin for her insights and understanding that science and art are not siloed forms of knowledge. Deep gratitude is also extended to part-time, visual arts lecturer Jaime Lee Loy, who led this class. We join the rest of the world in supporting the health of our oceans. – Marsha Pearce, PhD Lecturer and Visual Arts Unit Coordinator
Green Turtle by Shonari Richardson Green turtles are listed as an endangered species. They are one of the largest sea turtles weighing up to 700 pounds. Unlike most sea turtles, adult green turtles are herbivorous. These anmals inhabit tropical and sub-tropical coastal waters.
Man O’ War by Reannah Seales I have memories of going to Mayaro. I remember the beach sprinkled with Man o’ War jellyfish. As a child, I was afraid of them floating towards me and refused to bathe at the beach, during that time of the year. While conducting research for World Oceans Day, I observed images of the animal and noticed how harmonious its colours were: the blues, pinks and purples. I instantly fell in love with how it looked.
Breathe by Jonathan Raymond This piece makes a symbolic reference to the ocean and marine animals. Sometimes in life we are placed in very complex situations in which we are required to make necessary and appropriate decisions for our survival. When I’m under pressure, I feel like I can’t breathe, and if I don’t make a decision I will drown. This piece was made to represent that concern for survival – the need to keep hope and move forward even in the darkest of times. Like these fish, I’ve learned to swim in the dark.
Fragmented God by Kajal Madho This piece links environmental concerns with the practice of dumping murtis into the seas and rivers. Discarded, broken murtis sourced from the sea have been used to create the distorted form of the Hindu God, Lord Ganesha. Annually, Hindus flock the seas to perform a "visarjan" or immersion of Lord Ganesh murtis, typically made of clay. However, in recent times, murtis are being made with materials that are not eco-friendly, such as plastic and toxic paints. Thus, the piece seeks to remind people to be more aware of what is being discarded into the seas.
Fusion by Ariel Baptiste The piece combines the human figure, underwater landscapes and bioluminescent sea creatures to explore ideas of our shared survival. It is a collage created with and on recycled materials. It glows in the dark to echo those marine animals that emit light. The different elements of the piece merge in the light and the dark to suggest symbiotic solidarity.
Zen Tangle by Cori-Ann Chin I wanted to incorporate foetuses into my Zen Tangle to show how the ocean is connected to human life. Water brings fertility and life. I chose a manta ray because it is much larger than a stingray. It is a filter feeder like Baleen Whales and unlike the stingray, it has no stinger in its tail. It is a docile and majestic creature of spiritual significance.
Nudibranch by Shireen Ragobir This marine-inspired piece depicts a Nudibranch. This soft-bodied gastropod mollusc was chosen as the subject of this piece as it is a fascinating species that exhibits a wide variety of specialisation and adaptions of form and colour. They exemplify the beauty and complexity of marine life. The use of resin along with mica powders and alcohol pigments allowed for an abstract approach in rendering the background underwater scene, which adds to a sense of dynamism, characteristic of the marine environment. The Nudibranch, itself, is painted with acrylic paints.
Shoal of Fish Fantasy by Delene Greaux-Granger This work is based on the movement of fish. It is also influenced by the endangered Parrotfish which inhabit coral reefs. My intention for the viewer is not to see an actual shoal of fish but to observe rhythm, colours and patterns.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle by Shirvaughn Simmons This is a three-dimensional, mixed media painting of a Hawksbill sea turtle in its natural habitat. Although they are highly migratory, these animals are primarily found in tropical coral reefs. I wanted to do a panoramic underwater view to make the viewer feel the captivating, deep sea atmosphere and to bring awareness to this magnificent treasure that exists in our seas.
We Are Next by Andrea Wilson I chose to highlight plastic pollution in our oceans by creating an image that evokes fear and uneasiness in the viewer. Many marine animals become entangled in or ingest plastic, causing suffocation and drowning. I wanted us to think about suffering that fate. I used a human model to create my image.
From Grace to Grace by Faith Ramlal This digitally rendered composition features a humanised sea nettle jellyfish drifting along coastal waters in the Caribbean. The jellyfish was given the body of a young child. This highlights the theme of innocence. The faint blue glow surrounding her as she descends deeper, gives a sense of protection during her journey.
Deep Blue by Roheim Leslie This painting is a reminder of the importance of the ocean to the planet. The main subject of the piece is a great white shark that seems to be emerging from the “deep blue� of the ocean towards the light blue of the surface, where the light source can be found. This is symbolic of how humans must change their destructive actions and take the necessary steps to care for the ocean and all life in it.
Ripples by Michaela Regis This interactive piece is meant to imitate the way ocean water moves. Persons can swipe their hands over the “sequins” and allow them to flip over to reveal various changes in colour. On the surface, this activity appears fun but there is a deeper message: Like the “sequins” which do not all fall back into place when swiped, the ocean does not return to its original state simply by willing it to do so. It takes decisive action and meticulous care for both to return, or come close to their original state.
Ariel Baptiste Cori-Ann Chin Delene Greaux-Granger Roheim Leslie Kajal Madho Shireen Ragobir Faith Ramlal Jonathan Raymond Michaela Regis Shonari Richardson Reannah Seales Shirvaughn Simmons Andrea Wilson