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  • Tides: A Prelude ยท 2020-2021
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  • Coral Misool

​Coral Misool

Picture
 In 2018, Ocean Geographic Magazine invited me to be the artist onboard a scientific expedition to Raja Ampat, Indonesia as part of group of scientists, marine biologists, oceanographers, National Geographic photographers and filmmakers. We began our ocean expedition in Ambon, in the Maluku Islands, known as the Spice Islands, sailed all the way to Sorong, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Our mission - a health check of the surrounding ocean to measure the amount of plastics and microplastics in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world.

For three weeks, we sailed through the archipelago of islands, trawling for plastics. This image was inspired by one of the underwater photographs I took off a sea wall at the island of Misool, one of the four major islands in the Raja Ampat island region of West Papua, Indonesia. ​Being able to dive underwater is one of the greatest joys of my life. It is like traveling to another world. Like floating in outer space. The colors of the coral, the fish, the plant life is mesmerizing. What I learned from this exercise is that we need to take care of the inhabitants of our oceans and the oceans themselves, because if we continue to carelessly treat our environment as a trash receptacle, we are not only destroying the beauty and health of our planet, but our own, as well. 
70% of the air that we breathe comes from our earth’s largest bodies of water. It comes from tiny marine microorganisms called phytoplankton. Like plants, they get their energy from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. This is integral to the air that we breathe. If we don’t change the way we live, if we don’t refuse to support the single use plastic industry, we will not only kill what is most important to our lives. It doesn’t matter if you live near an ocean. The plastics that are throw away after one use will end up in a landfill, in a pond, a lake, a river, our soil. Plastic does not decompose for 500 to 1000 years. Today, most of the fish we consume, or sea salt or our drinking water is infused with microplastics. We are now the direct recipients of our carelessness. Our lack of regard and respect for our environment has now backfired on our own bodies. Our air. Our health. Not to mention the trillions of tons of plastic that has become toxic food for fish and all living creatures. If we can each do one thing to stop the damage. Our world and our lives will be better for it.

Mixed Media Acrylic on Acrylic Reverse Painting with Recycled Plastic, 20” x 16.” Click here to inquire about purchasing this piece.

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21850 N. Riverwoods Rd.
​Riverwoods, IL 60015

224.633.2424 info@brushwoodcenter.org

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Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods is committed to enabling the participation and enjoyment of our programming and events for all visitors. At Brushwood Center, you will have open access to accessible parking and entrance to the house, a gender neutral bathroom, and changing tables.

If you require certain accommodations in order to observe or attend our events, or have questions regarding accessibility of our facilities, please contact our Manager of Public Programs and Communications, Parker Nelson, at pnelson@brushwoodcenter.org or at (224) 633-2424 ext. 1.

Programming and events at Brushwood Center is available to everyone, including but not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.​
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and by appointment 
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission and Vision
    • Our Board
    • Our Partners
    • Our Staff
    • In the News
    • Blog
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Visit Us
    • Contact Us
  • EVENTS
  • ART
    • Gallery >
      • Current & Upcoming Exhibitions
      • Past Exhibitions
    • BASE - Brushwood Art Supply Exchange
    • Classes >
      • Botanical Art Academy
      • Create and Sip Classes
      • Make With Me Classes
    • Calls for Art
  • MUSIC
  • WELLNESS
    • 2023 Nature Explorer Backpack Project
    • Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator
    • At Ease: Art and Nature for Veterans
    • It's A W.I.N. - Programming for Community
    • Senior Wellness
  • RENTALS
  • SUPPORT
    • Donate
    • Our Sponsors