Reflection

Reflection

We have become so desensitized to the horrifying headlines of climate change that many people don’t blink at the sight of litter or oil spills in the ocean. Instead of distancing ourselves from climate change and ocean pollution, we have to dive in head first by learning more about it and possible solutions. We need to learn how to empathize with the planet, to feel the overwhelming grief and sadness it carries. In this piece, I wanted to show how education and emotions play an important role in creating change. The artwork shows someone learning and writing in pen about the problems the ocean faces such as overfishing, oil spills, and ocean acidification. The black and white shows an emotionless place while the color is full of emotion. The pen represents the idea that our impacts are indelible like ink. However, the spilled water transforms the mistakes we have made into a different world that continues to spread all around and gain momentum. The transformed areas represent a world where we have taken action as a result of education, reversing or preventing further damage. I hope to show that our damage to the world is not permanent; it can change for the better if we start to learn and feel.