Reflection

Reflection

Growing up with anxiety in the city, I often feel overwhelmed by the constant noise and high population density. But every year, when we go on holiday to the coast in Maenobŷr, Wales, I find a rare sense of calm by the seaside. I’ve always loved the ocean and been fascinated by the incredible sea creatures that inhabit it. In recent years, however, I’ve started to notice an alarming increase in plastic pollution on beaches—even the more secluded ones. This led me to dig deeper into the scale of plastic pollution and the damage it’s causing. To share my love for the ocean and raise awareness of the harm we’re inflicting on it, I created an animation. It began as a photoshoot for my art project on Human Influence, but I soon decided to go further and produce my first more detailed drawn animation, which I felt would make my message more immersive for the viewer. The piece aims to highlight the devastating impact pollution has on marine life and to show just how essential healthy oceans are for sustaining life on Earth. This project became more than just a competition entry —it was a way for me to express my passion, learn more about a subject I care about, and hopefully inspire others to care too.