This year for the Art of Conservation I wanted to create pieces inspired by the idea of "omens". There are both positive and negative connotations to this word. An omen can be a harbinger of something terrible to come, or a sign of hope and change for the future.
For me the latter resonates. I do not want to think of our future, particularly for the natural world, as doomed and beyond repair. I see so much hope and many people fighting to preserve and restore what is and has been lost, even if that battle is often uphill.
Albino animals have been revered by many cultures through time. Regarded as sacred and auspicious omens, they are celebrated for their uniqueness. As individuals in nature however, they are more vulnerable as they stand out as easy prey for predators. They are also prized by human poachers. I have been inspired by these animals and their unique beauty as symbols of the wonder and fragility of nature.
I was fascinated by the way the shells of white sea turtles still retain elements of their usual coloring, while their skin stays completely white (or sometimes slightly yellow). It is estimated that only 1 in 100,000 sea turtles are albino. Coupled with the fact that only about 1 in 1,000 hatchlings make it to maturity, the adult albino sea turtle is a powerful statement of life's ability to endure and survive.
Sometimes the odds feel stacked against us. The fight is too hard, the challenge too big, the opponent too powerful. But nature is continually filled with stories of resilience and those fighting against all obstacles to not only survive, but to thrive. This piece is meant to serve as a reminder that there is still hope and there is still magic to be fighting for. This white turtle swims through his coral home with a little extra rainbow shine on his shell, knowing he holds that magic
Handmade ceramic bowl featuring hand sculpted coral reef and white sea turtle. Bowl measures approximately 4.75" diameter and 3.5" height. Turtle features mother of pearl luster on the shell for an added touch of rainbow shine.
All materials used are food and dishwasher safe. However, to best preserve your favorite animals I recommend hand washing. Due to the mother of pearl luster this bowl is NOT microwave safe.
I do my best to photograph every piece accurately, however, due to the many variations in monitors and browsers, the color of products may appear differently on different monitors and in different light settings.
50% of the proceeds of this piece will be donated to Ocean Conservancy to support their conservation efforts. To Learn more about their work please visit www.oceanconservancy.org
To see more of Kelsey's work be sure to follow on Instagram @kelseyceramics
