Reflection

Reflection

While driving along the 101 into Santa Barbara, I was stunned when I saw multiple enormous oil rigs dotting the coast. This was the first time I became concerned about the effects of oil rigs on the ocean environment. I found that their presence is a constant worry, for if one explodes or leaks like the 2010 oil spill, its impact can be devastating. With so many rigs losing so much oil, it is a constant threat to ocean life. I decided to paint an oil rig piercing a heart, to symbolize how our damage so far on the ocean has impacted its beauty and purity. The skull and crossbones embedded into the oil rig stands for poison, as the oil rig can symbolize a wide range of ways we poison our oceans. Under the surface of the water, we see the real problem where this contamination punctures the heart of the sea made of ocean animals. Although this piece represents the impact of our decisions on the earth’s oceans, it also ignites our power to fight and choose to protect our oceans. We must inform others how our choices impact ocean life and how we cannot let people be ignorant of their actions. I hope that others will have a change of heart and put thought into the effects our force can have on the ocean environment. So let’s step up and educate others to preserve the heart of the sea!