Reflection

The inspiration for "Forgotten Venus" was a combination of the harvesting of clams and pearls, symbolizing the life and beauty we take from the ocean to profit our own greed, and Venus, the goddess of beauty depicted in the famous "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. Throughout my artistic process, I strived to depict the subtle balance between despair and hope, especially in the subject's eye. Other examples of this balance include the darkening purple coral, black pearl, orange fungi, and the lustrous, shimmering shell. The message that I have addressed with my art is that we as humans have polluted and stolen the ocean's life. We are currently facing the consequences through smog, infected seafood, and contaminated water supplies. The only possibility of reversing this damage is to spread awareness and take action by reducing plastics, supporting organizations fighting against climate change, and to eat sustainable seafood. Something that gives me hope is that we saw blue skies and clear waters within the first few weeks of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. To restore the Earth, personally, I will travel to beaches and oceans to learn about their wildlife, use reusable containers and bags, and bike or carpool. Preparing for this contest has helped me understand and relate to the struggle of the ocean by putting myself in her shoes, feeling her emotion and beauty.