LOGGERHEAD TURTLES
In keeping with my African roots I picked up on his under water scenes and in particular the turtles and have connected it to a scenario that happens almost every year off our southern shores. Baby Loggerhead Turtles , a threatened species, for some reason find themselves caught in the cold seas which slow them down and eventually they find themselves washed up on the beaches around the Cape. In May this year over 200 we're washed up onto the beaches along with many who did not make it. They are rescued by volunteers and transported to the Two Oceans Aquarium where they are looked after until fit enough to be released. They are then transported to Ushaka Marine World in Durban where they are released into the warm currents off our shores. Many of those that did not make it had injested plastic, a very real and worrying problem in our oceans as we are all aware.
My piece is a homage to these little fighters who are faced with a growing pollution of plastic in our seas. Turtles are appliqued, the pale blue swirls and dots are actually a plastic bag that I have stitched on and then cut away with a soldering iron. I have quilted the background with bubbles as the area was quite restrictive and this fitted in best.
Well done Phil. You have used our artist to highlight a huge problem in the seas around the world. I do like the colours you have used and the plastic swirls - a great interpretation of our artist and our environment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful turtles, and such a real problem in our oceans. I like the fabrics on the turtles backs, gives it an Andriacci 'twist'.
ReplyDeleteBravo Phil! Beautiful turtles and a very powerful message. I love your use of the plastic bag.
ReplyDeletePowerful story and very beautiful executed quilt. The inclusion of a plastic bag is no les powerful.
ReplyDeleteA tremendous quilt with an ecological message . Such tragedy our plastic age is creating . Your techniques are very interesting and I would love to see this quilt in 'reality " to get the full impact.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosemary - this is a wonderful quilt and seeing it up close would be even nicer. What a very thoughtful and inspired interpretation you have created - well done on using the plastic bag and explaining your technique.
ReplyDeleteI love your turtles and the plastic swirls. It must have taken a steady hand with the soldering iron to do such a delicate job. And a clever use of reverse applique for their backs. I am enjoying the way you take the environment around you and create a statement. I hope you put them all in a show some time.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant Phil! Thanks for the very real and worrying story of our turtles. Your piece is so beautifully done with just a hint of our artist's bright colors on their backs. Amazing quilting too!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have used the fabrics for the turtles backs, and the use of the plastic for the swirls.
ReplyDeleteClever use of fabrics. I almost wish the turtles were those lovely colours. Really like the swirls - give an impression of them swimming around. H
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