The Ocean Inside

The Ocean Inside is an installation based on the artist’s first-hand experience of witnessing the devastating effects of climate change and other human-made environmental stresses on the coral reefs. Her interest in natural history and concern for the environment was fostered by growing up in the Carribbean during the 70’s and returning in recent years, observing both the beauty of the coral reefs and their current demise as a result of the ocean’s changing chemistry.

For the past five years, she has filmed underwater video footage, mostly in the Caribbean and around coastal shores, capturing the beauty and degradation in the ocean and the human impact on reefs and seashores. This footage is projected onto a translucent veil that is hand-printed with reflecting mica in a 4×4’ relief-cut tiling pattern, depicting a network of plankton that represents the web of life.

A soundtrack is compiled of natural recorded soundscapes, electronic sound-effects, and waves of voices that speak 16 short statements in their native language including: Dutch, English, French, Greek, Japanese, Mandarin, Nahuatl, Papiamentoe, Polish, Russian, Shona, Spanish, Tagalog, Te Reo Mãori and Urdu.

As the viewer moves behind the ocean veil, merging with the projected seascapes and web of plankton, the installation serves to heighten awareness on climate change affecting the oceans, generate ecological literacy and to reflect on the passage of time, human exceptionalism and connection to life.