I still feel very connected to Jessica Warboys because of her painting with the physical element’s. This sits so well with my practice and how I work. Despite previously lightly researching Marc Quinn, Susen Reuter, Ann-Marie James, and Matthew Cusick I don’t yet feel connected in the same way I feel about Warboys.

However I am still very fascinated with Margarethe Vanderpas and her water depiction and feel this is an area I should explore more later on.

I am starting to think more about artists who are taking on the climate crisis within their work and also artists who collaborate with the physical environment. I have returned to Jason de Caires Taylor, a sculptor, professional photographer and an environmentalist, Taylor has created a series of underwater sculptures all over the world. In Grenada, The Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park installed in 2006 after a hurricane in 2004 has been listed as one of the top 25 wonders of the world.

The 75 sculptures cover approximately 800 square metres and are found around sand patches and gullies at a depth of 5-8 meters. Accessible by glass bottom boat as well as snorkeling and scuba diving, the sculptures have provided a new place for marine life to develop and allow coral polyps to attach themselves and grow.

Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park – Grenada – ©Jason deCaires Taylor

Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park – Grenada – ©Jason deCaires Taylor

Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park – Grenada – ©Jason deCaires Taylor

Permanent site specific sculptural works, which are usually installed within a tidal environment, Taylor is passionate about conservation and has not only raised awareness, contributed hugely to environmental art but also provided a natural habitat for marine life to attach and grow in a protected place.

References: https://underwatersculpture.com/about/biography/

Accessed 16th December 2024.