Reflection

Reflection

When I walk along the beach, I always find bits of seaweed wrapping around my ankles, clinging to me even after I leave the water. Rather than a nuisance, I see these plants as a reminder of Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, or First Lady of Limu: an extraordinary botanist, marine algae specialist, and cultural representation of the power of indigenous knowledge. While researching Dr. Abbott, I was captivated by her immense dedication and perseverance in algae research, especially as a woman of color in a primarily male-dominated field. I was drawn to the fact that she was the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn a Ph.D. in science, and out of curiosity, I decided to learn more about her. I chose to use oil paint mediums throughout this piece to aid in the realistic depiction of her skin and face, and focused on creating an ethereal quality in the algae to highlight its potential in the field of ocean and environmental conservation.