The Making of Recycled Reef (2018-2020)

With the disappearance of coral reefs all over the world, I felt inspired to create a coral reef out of 'trash' in a reversal where the up-cycled found-objects become the very coral itself. Most of the creatures I have created are painted and modeled after actual sea creatures and coral polyps.

This sculpture has been a year and a half in the making and is made mostly of found metal, used CO2 cartridges, plastic, rubber, etc. as well as a ton of glitter and glue. As in - many types of glue - and a lot of them. Then there were many layers of paint. Some of those paints glow in the dark and others are UV reflective. The sculpture base is made out of Styrofoam and papier mache and it is mounted on a wooden panel and base, all wired and lit with UV "black light".

20"D x 16"W x 18"H

"Recycled Reef" Daylight Photography

"Recycled Reef" UV 'Black Light' Photography

"Recycled Reef" Glow In the Dark (Phosphorescent) Photography