1.5 Degree
Low fired wire clay
10 x 8”
300.

About 1.5 Degree

Several years ago, I experienced something that was both profound and heartbreaking. While snorkeling in the Northern Bahamas, I encountered a large section of what was once the most colorful and diverse section of a reef off of Green Turtle Cay. The entire area of coral heads on and around this reef were now totally white. This phenomenon is commonly known as “bleaching” which has been studied and debated for some years now. It happens when the water temperatures rise as “ little” as 1.5 degrees. The chain of events that occur with rising temperatures are taking their toll on oceans around the world.

This experience continued to impact me and my place in nature, so I did what I often do—turn my thoughts into something physical. I turned to clay and began making maquettes of what I had witnessed, including my own interpretations of these corals. When I returned home I began creating larger versions of these pieces, all stark white, much like the reefs and coral heads I had seen. I’m hoping to be able to bring awareness of the impact we humans have on nature and be motivated to be a part of the solution.

Transcendence certainly occurs throughout our connections with nature as we are hopefully “enlightened” by our living world.