Reclamation is a reconstructed reef drawn from my memories of exuberantly-coloured and diverse reefs, especially those of Indonesia.
This is an imaginary ecosystem, populated by hybrid corals, some crafted from the very plastic materials that threaten reef habitats. It is a playful, sometimes kitschy re-envisioning of the ocean, a rewilding that invites awe and reflection. My techniques include paper mache, crochet and assemblage.
The installation transitions from a thriving reef into a bleached, barren seascape, culminating in a murky, lifeless zone where marine life can no longer survive. In the background, fish shapes are relief-printed on discarded art and collaged onto multiple monotype prints, visually narrating the decline of fish populations. This transformation mirrors the reality of many reefs today, decimated by global warming, overfishing and pollution.
Reclamation repurposes prints from years of practice, embracing a zero-waste approach that uses only materials at hand.
Designed to adapt to different exhibition spaces, Reclamation aims to captivate viewers through its visual richness while prompting reflection on the urgent message at its core.
