Oceano Plastique

Increasingly acidified oceans are now teaming with plastics of all kinds. At least eight million tons of plastic end up in our oceans each year, and make up 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep sea sediments. Marine species ingest or become entangled by plastic debris causing severe injuries and deaths. Plastic pollution threatens food safety and quality, human health, and contributes to climate change.

Contemplating this enormous environmental threat, I embarked on a series of small, intensely colored paintings titled, “Oceano Plastique”. Their diminutive sizes belie the vast nature of their subject. Viewers will notice compositional features invoking the specter of invading plastic microspheres, free floating fishing nets, and trapped sea creatures. As brightly colored forms occupy and overrun dark, watery backgrounds, interstitial spaces become entwined with garish strands of debris that clearly don’t belong.

Within these compositions, I try to embody a state of immanent breakdown and harmful transformation. Tragically, the toxic residues of culture are gradually replacing highly evolved environments critical to life on earth.