Captivating Painting

The colour choice in this artwork is both reflective of my love for the colour green and the algae that settles in captivity pools in ocean theme parks such as Seaworld. It’s slightly ironic that I’m drawn to the colour because of its correlation with nature, and (though algae is natural) it is also shows the lack of respect for nature when it comes to orcas in captivity. It was probably 8 or 9 years ago that I first watched the Netflix documentary “Blackfish” and it left a lasting impression on me to say the least. I honestly think that a lot of my artworks depicting sea creatures behind glass have an underlying influence from this documentary, as well as the ideas and perceptions that have come from seeing it. Of course I always find there’s a sense of ‘play’ coming from these artworks (which makes sense… they’re whimsical, miniature, relatable worlds) however, I want to encourage the viewer to consider why the concept of capturing these wild animals to indulge in self entertainment is considered so? I encourage the viewer to want a fish tank like this for themselves, but to limit that ‘want’ to being in the form of paint on a canvas.