Plastic Seas

Artist Statement

Plastic Seas” is a mural highlighting a 'Phinisi,' a traditional Indonesian boat in a crumpled plastic bottle with a powerful, warning-filled wave crashing up against it. The work speaks of the troubled beauty of Bali; a magical island and culture trapped inside the construct of consumerism and throw-away lifestyle.

You may have seen the pictures of people surfing waves full of trash or turtles with straws up their noses. Unfortunately, this is the reality that these beautiful islands face: mass consumption through hyper-tourism and the introduction of single-use plastic, its effect on everything from the water supply, agriculture to the ocean life, the coral reefs and the mola mola, which people flock from every corner of the earth to see.

It's time to PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE, the all-encompassing statement of the festival.

The concept was developed while I was reading the book ‘Ishmael’ by David Quinn that speaks about civilization as a cage that humans are building for themselves, one that has become indestructible, even by those that created it themselves. "Everyone in your culture knows this. Man was born to turn the world into paradise, but tragically he was born flawed. And so his paradise has always been spoiled by stupidity, greed, destructiveness, and shortsightedness.”

The Focus

Take Action

Reduce your own plastic footprint by

• Using a reusable water bottle and avoiding drinks bottled in plastic
• Bringing your own bag, cup, utensils, straw, etc.
• Shopping in bulk, reducing packaging waste
• Choosing reusable and compostable goods over less sustainable materials