Reflection

Reflection

In my community, specifically in California, the coastline has always been a source of beauty, inspiration, and sustenance. Growing up, the ocean was a place of frequent visit. However, over the years, I noticed that the once-pristine waters were growing increasingly polluted, and the beautifully shell-coated shores were being littered with plastic waste. The impacts of climate change have become impossible to ignore. Hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, and other unexpected weather extremes are now a part of our reality, each serving as a reminder of the consequences of our actions. During the process of creating my painting, I felt a strong sense of want to represent how powerless we, humans, are, against nature. The gloomy, grayish-dark background represents the unpredictable ominous climate that we have created through negligence. The skeleton symbolizes death and destruction of humans in the wake of natural disasters. The colorful fish serves as a stark contrast, a reminder of the nature's beauty and resilience against humans. My message to the viewers of my artwork is: Rather than a parasitic relationship, we, humans, must develop a mutualistic relationship with nature, because ultimately, we humans are helpless beings against the powerful nature. After doing research on climate change, I now feel a stronger sense to spread the need for urgent action towards recovery. Beyond simple recycling, to tackle this challenge of climate change, I will engage with my community by taking the initiative to raise awareness, promote sustainable commuting, and encourage energy-saving practices through social media. My painting "Beneath the Surface" serves as both a warning and a call to action. It is a warning that beneath the surface we all know as humans, there exists a world where we do not hold any influence or power. Yet, it is a reminder that there is opportunity to recovery if we choose to act responsibly.