Pacific

About

These lustrous jellyfish shimmer wet with sea water. They float gently and freely and imbue the wondrous nature of sea creatures. Jellyfish in essence are the flowers of the ocean; however, some hold the dual nature of Beauty and Beast. Pacific reflects the importance of balance within our marine ecosystem. Jellyfish bloom naturally; however, overfishing, pollution and climate change are stimulating super blooms which reduce biodiversity of fish, crustaceans and seaweed. Seaweeds sequester atmospheric carbon and are responsible for the ocean being the largest carbon sink on the planet.

This work is also about peace. It reflects the increasing geopolitical tension arising in our Pacific region and is a call for harmony, goodwill and friendship. The bluebottle or Pacific man o’war is named after the animal’s resemblance to the Portuguese warship or caravel. We are currently witnessing a rise in dangerous actions in the South China Sea which threaten the stability of the Pacific realm. In this work it is my wish to promote peace and freedom within our region and worldwide.

The Making of Pacific

These sea creatures are made from slip cast porcelain. The reflective shine of the bluebottle along with the movement and colours of the sea are found in the lustrous glazes over the porcelain. To accentuate the lightness and liquid nature of the work I incorporated hand crafted glass beads by the wonderful glass artist, Liz DeLuca. These were threaded with ceramic beads to create the tentacles.

Dimensions

Porcelain Jellyfish, porcelain beads, glass beads, feather. Glass beads hand made by Liz DeLuca. Dimensions: Blue bottle 30cm wide, 45cm long, Teal Bottle 30cm wide 50cm long, Lavender bottle 30cm wide 40cm long, Blue Jelly 5.5cm high, 11cm diameter, Lavender Jelly 15cm high, 11cm diameter, Copper medusae 40cm long, 7cm diameter.