HELENA

Did you know that ocean waves can glow at night from tiny living organisms? This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, the natural production of light by organisms such as plankton. We often forget how extraordinary nature is. Some sea creatures are instantly recognizable, while others appear unfamiliar or strange. Yet all are beautiful creations of nature.

Tiny organisms drifting through the water emit a turquoise glow that can turn the sea into a shimmering jewel. I wanted to honor the sea and its creatures, both observed and unobserved. I painted shells containing pearls using watercolor techniques. Coral reefs are painted in fiery red with a hint of blue.

Bioluminescence is expressed through a mica-based pigment, unmo. Controlled yet raw brushstrokes produced with calligraphy brushes move throughout the piece on hanji. Shimmery unmo brushstrokes symbolize small living organisms often overlooked yet capable of producing powerful light beneath the sea.