MANGROVES FROM THE WATER
My artworks and actions seek to highlight the beauty and ecological importance of mangrove forests. Mangroves radiate rejuvenating energy; they are nurseries teeming with hidden life — fish, birds, vividly coloured crabs, and many more. Yet, just beyond the fringe of their tranquil canopy lies the bustle of encroaching urban life. For me, the mangroves are a source of power, beauty, vitality, and simplicity.
Ecologically, mangroves are indispensable. They act as powerful carbon sinks, mitigate climate change, stabilise coastlines, and sustain biodiversity. Despite their significance, they continue to face alarming degradation from climate impacts and human activities such as urbanisation, agriculture, and aquaculture. Globally, nearly one-third of mangrove forests have already been lost — a rate of destruction exceeding that of other forest systems.
Since 2011, kayaking and sketching within the mangrove forests have been central to my artistic practice, inspiring multimedia projects and deepening my ecological awareness. In 2014, I founded Mangroves from the Water (MFTW), inviting artists from diverse disciplines to join kayaking and sketching trips before creating works that celebrate and protect these vital ecosystems.
Mangroves from the Water later became the focus of my doctoral research at Deakin University.
Below are a selection of my watercolour sketches and artworks of mangroves, all created from the perspective of my kayak.
Click here to view my recent projects.
PROJECT INFO.
- For further details about past Mangroves from the Water exhibitions, please visit:
- www.mangrovesfromthewater.com
- Facebook: @Mangrovesftw
- Instagram: @mangrovesftw
- Twitter/X: @MangrovesFTW
