Amber Rae Malott- Hunting Party Sculpture

In the wild Groupers and Moray Eels are frequently observed hunting together. The Grouper will go over and do a little shake to let the Eel know it needs help, the Eel responds with a little dance and comes out of hiding to greet the fish. Then the Grouper will chase the prey into a crevice and the Eel will go in and get it. 

I find this level of mutual corporation between these 2 very different animals amazing and was inspired to sculp a piece showing them working together to catch an Atlantic Blue Tang.

The Sculpted pieces are paperclay, a fine type of paper-mache. I painted them with watercolors made from finely ground gemstones and sealed with resin to protect .

Gemstones used in paint...Blue Tang: Lapis Lazuli & Amethyst, Moray Eel: Jadeite & Serpentine, Grouper: Yavapai & Hematite, Sea stars: Piemonte & Amethyst, Sandy bottom: Hematite & Tiger's eye

For the coral pieces I used cave calcite (aragonite) there is also chips of fossilized clam (sourced from Florida Ft. Drum) on the sea floor. 

Size: 4.5" tall, 6.75" length, 4.65" width

From the organization's website: "Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are dedicated to restoring our paradise lost. We have planted hundreds of thousands of corals onto Florida’s Coral Reef, tested new treatments for worldwide coral diseases, and above all, pioneered efforts to grow, breed, stress-test and preserve thousands of native genetic varieties of corals to ensure that restored reefs carry resilience in their very DNA."

Fine Art shipping with tracking and appropriate insurance will be provided in this cost.

50% of the proceeds from this piece will be donated to Mote Marine Laboratory to support their conservation efforts. To learn more about their work please visit www.mote.org

To see more of Amber's work be sure to follow on Instagram @amberraewatercolor