No Time to Waste.
Eco-Art Competition 2021.

This painting was inspired by a deep sense of responsibility, urgency, and hope in transforming the climate crisis. The ocean is particularly prominent in this work, as its preservation is one of the most pressing issues at the forefront of our planet's wellbeing. Human activity imposes dire consequences upon our seas; however, by reforming our behaviour, we are still capable of overcoming the climate emergency. Solutions such as switching to renewable energy sources and investing in biodegradable products are among the many methods we can undertake to restore healthy ecology. When creating my painting, my primary goal was to capture the necessity for immediate change. The woman is an emblem of the Earth's spirit; she is interconnected with the ocean and life on our planet. However, the waters from which she emerges is tainted – plastic entangles marine creatures, toxic waste pollutes the waves, and the once-vibrant coral reef has been bleached to a skeleton graveyard. Greenhouse gasses are spewed into the atmosphere, endangering the fragile arctic biome that is inextricably tied with rising sea levels. Furthermore, her hair is streaked gray by tendrils of smoke, a metaphor of the exhausting impact that human irresponsibility has had on Earth's biodiversity. In her hands, she holds a body of water that is strikingly pure – a lively oasis embodying the sea in its natural state. Through this contrast, I hope to shed light on the profound repercussions of climate change – we must take initiative now and not later. The dichotomy of a damaged world, and one that remains a vibrant host of life are highlighted, conveying the message that the future of our oceans rests in our hands. A crucial step in implementing widespread change is to recognize that while there is still hope, we have no time to waste.