Rags & Ragas

Category: Visual Art

“Connecting the Dots” is a visual art portraying plastic waste found on beaches along Kuala Langat Coastline. This artwork aims to bring awareness to the public about the severity of plastic pollution in Malaysia and around the globe. Plastic pollution is a threat to planetary health, and it affects human health, biodiversity and ecosystems.

In this artwork, plastic waste found on beaches around the coast of Kuala Langat was gathered, cleaned and utilised in this visual art. The waves with all the microplastic particles show the impacts of plastic waste pollution, serving as a stark reminder that this problem persists and continues to wreak havoc on the environment and the overall ecosystem. The human icon, intertwined with microplastics, vividly illustrates how the environmental impacts of plastic waste extend far beyond marine ecosystems, ultimately placing the burden of ongoing pollution squarely on humanity’s shoulders.

The final visual art piece, encompassing a 130cm tall x 80cm wide piece of plywood, featured an assortment of plastic waste in various types and colors. The composition consisted of a staggering 450 plastic waste items meticulously arranged alongside approximately 35,000 microplastic particles. This artistic representation graphically communicated the vast array of plastic waste discarded on beaches by the public, effectively capturing the diverse range of plastics that pollute our coastal environments.

Sarva Mangala Praveena is an academician from Universiti Putra Malaysia who is mainly engaged in understanding environmental pollution impacts. Her latest research interest is in quantifying microplastic sources and their occurrence in the environment.

Sri Themudu is a Chief Programme Officer of Green Growth Asia Foundation, an esteemed NGO that actively engages in raising environmental awareness and promoting education amongst school children.