Artist explores the dying sea (From Bucks Free Press)

Artist explores the dying sea

12:41pm Tuesday 20th July 2010

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A Bucks New University Student in her final year has created a reminder to people about the effect global warming is having on the sea.

Dorothea Reid's exhibition called The Dying Sea looks at how ocean acidity is destroying sea life and how it is bleaching coral leaving only white skeletons.

To make the effect she is using decayed plant material and redundant packaging and has formed exquisite, delicate forms and structures to depict a ghostly image of a world without coral.

There are 600 pieces which also looks at destructive fishing methods and how it is destroying reefs.

This exhibition is really one to make the viewer think about the impact humans are having not just on land but in the hidden depth of the earth's seas.

Dorothea exhibited her work at New Designers in London from 1-4 July. She said: “The objective behind my work is to show how the sea is sacrificing itself by absorbing half the carbon dioxide produced by human activity over the past 200 years. This warms the sea and increases acidity, which in turn attacks shellfish, plankton and coral which are at the base of the marine food chain.

  “It’s not about preserving beautiful coral reefs as a tourist attraction; coral provides a home and food for about 25% of marine species, and the loss of coral reefs will decimate the marine population and ultimately affect millions of people who depend on the sea for their food and their livelihood.”

One of the most poignant pieces in Dorothea’s exhibition is a small travelling coral museum, which highlights that this might be the only way we will see coral in the future.    Dorothea is due to graduate from Bucks New University in September with a BA (Hons) Ceramics & Glass. The Dying Sea is her final year project and it was exhibited at the University’s end of year Degree Show earlier this month.

Dorothea has exhibitions coming up. To find out more email dori@westbarn.plus.com

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