Bloom is an exhibition that I planned after experimenting with creating jellyfish sculptures. I sought to create an installation that was immersive and a little surreal.
My work was created to embody the beauty of the ocean, one of my main sources of inspiration for my artwork. My exhibition is entitled Bloom for more than one reason. A “bloom” is a large collection of jellyfish that inhabit a small space. It wasn’t until I began creating my work – exploring the forms through sculpture and illustration – that I realized the true “blooming” nature of a jellyfish through its life cycle. Once a young jellyfish completes its planula larval stage, it becomes a polyp. This polyp then buds, creating a secondary larval stage called the ephyra, which then blossoms into the medusa form – a mature jellyfish.
In reference to the color palette, I chose blues, greens, and purples – colors that are readily found and observed in the ocean. My sculptures showcase a sandy surface paired with a glossy pattern. The glaze was purposefully encouraged to drip, formulated to interact with the underlying colors and displace them.
Moon jellies are the species that served as inspiration for my pieces, but ultimately it is still a generalized and idealized form. I am drawn to jellyfish because of their unique characteristics that make them such a recognizable organism. I chose jellyfish to convey an overall appreciation for the beauty of the ocean.
My work was created to embody the beauty of the ocean, one of my main sources of inspiration for my artwork. My exhibition is entitled Bloom for more than one reason. A “bloom” is a large collection of jellyfish that inhabit a small space. It wasn’t until I began creating my work – exploring the forms through sculpture and illustration – that I realized the true “blooming” nature of a jellyfish through its life cycle. Once a young jellyfish completes its planula larval stage, it becomes a polyp. This polyp then buds, creating a secondary larval stage called the ephyra, which then blossoms into the medusa form – a mature jellyfish.
In reference to the color palette, I chose blues, greens, and purples – colors that are readily found and observed in the ocean. My sculptures showcase a sandy surface paired with a glossy pattern. The glaze was purposefully encouraged to drip, formulated to interact with the underlying colors and displace them.
Moon jellies are the species that served as inspiration for my pieces, but ultimately it is still a generalized and idealized form. I am drawn to jellyfish because of their unique characteristics that make them such a recognizable organism. I chose jellyfish to convey an overall appreciation for the beauty of the ocean.
