SHARY BARTLETT (CANADA)

Briny Hyacinth, encaustic and alcohol ink, on cradled panel, 16 x 12 inches

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Who isn’t mesmerized by the pulsing translucence of jellyfish or the gently flowing wave of algae? But there’s a scary side to such tranquil beauty. Over the last 20 years, jellyfish and algae have proliferated to dangerous levels worldwide. Rising levels of greenhouse gases and climate change have caused oceans to warm, and jellies and algae to grow out of control, causing huge “blooms” which dramatically alter the marine environment. Higher carbon dioxide in the air and water further affect the temperature and chemistry of seawater, causing devastating effects on human, animal, and shellfish habitats and aquaculture.

As ecosystems, oceans cover 70 percent of the world, providing most of the oxygen we breathe and absorbing 90% of the global warming we create. While seas are widely taken for granted by most of us, their protection is critical.

This painting depicts that liminal place of juxtaposition where a body of water meets the surface of the air. The captivating beauty of algae rises above the water, and its distorted reflection below mirrors the future growth of the planet.

The image below offers a view of Briny Hyacinth in situ to help to visualize this piece in a home setting.

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