Dusk 1&2, Symbiosis

Dusk 1&2, Symbiosis, 2023

60cm x 90cm (per one, set of two)
Ink, acrylic, resin, gold leaf foil on aluminum
Inset wood frame, ready to hang

About the collection:

This series of artworks, 'Symbiosis',  is inspired by what I witnessed on my 2 trips to the Maldives, 10 years apart. From the beautiful aerial view of the atolls formations that make up this country, you see these unique reef ecosystems that surround individual islands - in every shape and size. What makes up these reefs are a unique and complex hierarchy of corals that powers the abundance of life/biodiversity around the shores. 

One of the unfortunate effects of human-caused global warming is the rising sea level temperatures. This greatly impacts the reef ecosystem, as corals are extremely vulnerable to even slightly higher temperatures - resulting in massive coral bleaching events. Symbiosis refers to the mutually dependent (and usually beneficial) relationship between two organisms and in this case it’s the coral (the structure) and the plankton (the organism that lives within it) that gives it color and gives the coral life and food. When the temperature rises, the plankton abandons the coral, and the latter dies - hence you will see a field of “white” bleached corals. Without these corals, it cannot sustain the marine life that depends on it. 

This series of work depicts the scenery in all its beauty - whether ill fated or not - through the warm tones, soft gradients and delicate textures. I hope this beauty can encourage us to re-evaluate how we can be in harmony with nature - our own version of symbiosis.

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Note: These images are taken under studio lighting staged in an all white surrounding to best showcase the artwork's details and to minimize anything reflecting off the artwork's glossy finish. Please note that what is displayed on the screen here can have color discrepancies based on the environment and lighting the artwork is housed in.