Since completing my previous shoots, emphasising the issue of beach and ocean pollution, I next wanted to explore this problem from a symbolistic viewpoint. Using this same kind of stage photography that I have presented before in my project, I hope to capture meaningful and striking images wich will aim is to spark positive change in consumer habits. When deciding how to portray common beach/ocean pollution in an insightful way, my first instinct was to create pieces of art that tells the story whilst subtly putting to use the discarded materials. Before deciding on my designs, I found inspiration for this shoot from an amazing organisation dedicated to informing and influencing the public of this same pollution issue. The ‘Washed Ashore Project‘ is a non-profit community art project that brings pollution to life, awakening the hearts and minds of viewers to the global marine debris crisis.

Founder and artistic director, Angela Haseltine Pozzi, is a successful internationally exhibited artist whose expertise has led her to community involvement in multiple areas. Angela’s evolution as an artist shifted when she noticed immense amounts of plastic pollution on pristine southern Oregon beaches. As she learned more about ocean pollution from plastics and marine debris she became motivated to do something about it. Thus, the Washed Ashore Project was born. Angela decided to enlist the help of hundreds of local volunteers to clean up the beaches and use all the debris to construct massive sculptures of the sea animals most affected by the pollution. These sculptures now tour as the ‘Washed Ashore Project’ travelling exhibit, educating and inspiring countless people from diverse backgrounds to take action in their own lives to prevent contributing to this global problem. Her work continues as Lead Artist, designing and creating a multitude of sea creatures from the ongoing tonnes of marine debris with the goal to have a global impact. As the leader of a team of dedicated employees and hundreds of volunteers, Angela has vowed that this effort is her calling and “until we run out of plastic on the beach, we will keep doing our work”. Below are a few photographs taken as examples of these breathtaking sculptures that represent the sea life affected by plastic pollution…

Above is a huge sculpture depicting what looks like a great white shark created using an array of different discarded materials. To put these masterpieces together the ‘Washed Ashore Project‘ volunteers collect rubbish that has been removed from beaches through community cleanups. This pollution is then washed, sorted and prepared for the creation process. Each sculpture is designed and directed by a professional artist and then formed through a collaboration of Washed Ashore team members, volunteers and students. The meaning behind these sculptures is to symbolically present our ocean pollution crisis and inspire change in our modern consumer culture. I love the use of small plastic items to collectively display such a textured and detailed masterpiece. The size of the shark and its surroundings, plus the sheer amount small and dangerous pieces of plastic collected from the beach, really make this piece something to think about.

The next two photographs depict other transportable and inspiring pieces of art that portray a few creatures who are most affected by ocean pollution. The first sculpture on the right shows a carefully crafted sea turtle put together using discarded materials found on the beach such as water bottles, boots, shotgun shells, detergent bottles etc. The sculpture on the left depicts a Marlin fish created using things like sunglasses, toothbrushes, fishing lures and a toilet seat. I love the textured effect these creatures are given by being made up of such tiny pollution elements as well as the array of colours that can be presented. The size of these sculptures, along with their beautifully thought out structure, can definitely emphasise this pollution crisis and give the public a good idea of just how massive it is. All artists, volunteers and designers involved in the creation of these pieces will have been influenced by our current consumer culture. The sculptures’ construction is truly a community effort, with volunteers collecting, cleaning, sorting, and building the sculptures together.