20,000 Tons of Plastic Under the Sea is a 30 x 30 x 7/8 painting made with a mix of professional (archival) and studio-grade (non-archival) acrylics.

A wash of black paint reveals a complex landscape underneath, with many layers of depth.

A recent study in 2019 discovered that microplastics permeate more layers of the ocean than previously thought. Research continues to focus on the surface, but the breakdown of materials is complex, with wide-reaching consequences for many marine ecosystems, and further complicating conservation efforts.

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I am inspired by the intersection of nature, global movements and human vulnerability. All around the world we are feeling the subtle and not-so-subtle seismic shifts in our environment due to climate change. However, in the US, climate change has yet to be accepted in mainstream conversation. Thus, a building sense of unease and danger lurks with each flood, tornado, sweltering summer and wildfire. Landscapes that were once beautiful and familiar are now endangered as well as suspect. What is our relationship to nature against such seemingly insurmountable challenges?

Artwork Details

• Acrylic on canvas (unframed)

• This artwork incorporates student-grade paints