Advisor: Howardena Pindell

The Under World We Created

Ever since I can remember, animals and nature have always been important parts of my life. My family has a deep love for the ocean and marine life, likely stemming from owning boats and beach houses. I can easily recall my grandparents teaching me about how to drive and maintain their sailboat, in addition to my grandfather teaching me about his experiences as a marine biologist living in an underwater lab. Many of my memories involve the ocean, from picking seashells with my parents to snorkeling with sharks. It was fitting that for my 21st birthday I was able to travel to Mexico and spent most of my time water-bound. It was in Mexico where I had the privilege of taking a scuba diving course and fulfilling my requirements for becoming scuba certified in open waters. Throughout the course of becoming scuba certified, it is required to learn about human interactions with nature, and what is and isn’t okay when diving. Scuba diving is a lot like visiting someone’s house; You take only what you brought to begin with, don’t leave trash or forget anything, and it is considerate to clean up trash that is laying around. A common saying among divers is “take memories, leave bubbles” because unfortunately, people believe that nature is theirs to take as keepsake (such as sand dollars and starfish). Even the uninhabited shells found within the sand are to be left alone because they can be used as a home or meal for fish. Imagine my horror when I learned that seemingly innocent actions such as picking uninhabited shells or even wearing sunscreen can cause detriment to the oceanic environment! This was a valuable experience for me considering I grew up with friends and family who enthusiastically picked up shells and other sea life for decoration without a second thought. It amazed me that respecting nature is a requirement for earning a scuba diving license. 

 It was in Mexico and later in Antigua where I was able to dive, and where I met incredibly beautiful life that filled the waters. From the coral reefs to the animals that inhabited them, I saw many diverse creatures. Unfortunately, these beautiful surroundings were not without human influence. On my dives, I found litter and pollution that sullied these beautiful marine environments. Even though I, alongside my family and the dive masters, picked up the litter in order to preserve the coral reefs, I couldn’t help but think of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and our usage of single-use plastics, fast fashion, and other wasted materials. Both as individuals and as a group, we should strive to create a more environmentally conscious society that considers more than just the human race. We are not the only ones inhabiting the earth, and we should respect those we live alongside and appreciate. After all, we exhibit other creatures for our admiration, and pick them out of their homes to display within our own due to their beauty. We pay no mind to the state of their homes as long as ours is beautiful. It is due to this mindset that we have not only created the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, but have also killed the Great Barrier Reef. Due to global warming caused largely by human influence, over half of the Great Barrier Reef has died. Humans have caused 95-100% of the global warming changes observed since 1950, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) fifth assessment report. Through our short-term, selfish mindset, we disregard the future of our own as well as the needs of others. It is this mindset, along with the hopes and need for a more eco-friendly future, that created this triptych. 

Title: Simply Being, Date: Dimensions:1920 x 1504 pixels , Medium: Acrylic paint on Canvas 

I wanted to illustrate a marine environment, lush with biodiversity and activity, transforming into a different type of marine setting influenced by the inconsideration of humans. The triptych is designed to be viewed from left to right, simulating a timeline and transition from one state to another. The first of the three, entitled Simply Being (2021), is anything but. This painting depicts a coral reef filled with biodiversity largely influenced by the types of fish and marine life I saw on my dives in Mexico and Antigua. From the firecoral to the hawksbill sea turtles to the eagle rays, I viewed so many creatures in their homes. I wanted to highlight the beauty of their lives without human interference, as they were “simply being” alongside us humans temporarily visiting their home. 

Title: Shift, Date: Dimensions:1920 x 821 pixels , Medium: Acrylic paint on Water Bottles 

The second, transitional piece is entitled Shift (2021). This title has a double entendre, as it represents both a figurative and literal shift in perspective; It shows a shift from marine life without human interaction to a marine environment that shows only human interference, while also forcing the viewer to shift their perspective by physically moving around the painting in order to correctly see all of the painting’s features. The painting depicts a shift from a healthy aquatic environment filled with biodiversity to waters soiled with trash including fishing waste, single use plastics, and clothes. Most of the subjects within the painting can be seen from a direct perspective, however, in order to see everything properly, it is required for the viewer to move around, almost like visually placing puzzle pieces together to make a complete picture. This illusion is achieved through the curved surface I made my canvas out of. Similar to the title of the piece, the materials also have dual meaning. The curvature of the surface along with blue paint is created in order to mimic waves of the ocean while achieving a visual illusionary effect. This is achieved through using plastic bottles cut in half and glued together in an inverted pattern. I wanted to use plastic bottles as they are single-use plastics and are commonly used by everyone, so all viewers of this piece can relate to it, and perhaps feel guilt for their own actions that contribute to this shift. 

Title: Water Waste, Date: Dimensions:1920 x 1504 pixels , Medium: Acrylic paint on Canvas 

The third and final piece of the triptych is entitled, Water Waste (2021). This piece is representative of marine environments if we continue down our path of self-preservation and pollution. Aside from litter, the land and water are barren and dirty. Even though there is plenty within the painting, it also evokes a sense of desolation that is especially noticeable when compared to Simply Being. This is intentional, in order to cause self reflection and a sense of longing for the creatures inhabiting the prior paintings. The litter that is seen throughout the water should be recognizable, from water bottles, to Ugg boots, to ketchup bottles. I wanted to depict things found within the common home in order for us to think twice before throwing things away. 

Due to COVID-19 and my journey to becoming a scuba diver, I have been able to think deeply about marine life and the way my actions and the actions of humankind impact it. I have realized that things I was raised to believe are okay are actually harmful to the environment and other creatures. It is because of the knowledge achieved through my recent experiences scuba diving that I wanted to highlight these harmful behaviors. I want my audience to reflect on their actions that could potentially harm the environment and marine life. While creating a visually appealing triptych, I also strive to have the audience ponder the meaning of my work as well as the necessity of their own waste. It is my hope that as individuals and as a society we can strive to cause less harm to marine life. 

Shift: Shifted Perspective Version