JAMIE SCHMIDT

Coral Grief

I am passionate about coral reefs, for the same reason I am passionate about ceramics: both are diverse and unique, but also fragile and vulnerable. Despite being used as cups, plates, and common house decor, ceramics can go unnoticed regardless of playing an important role in our daily lives. The same holds true for coral reefs. Even with their small size, these valuable reefs play an important role in marine ecosystems because of their diversity. Due to factors of rising sea temperatures, pollution, and fossil fuel emissions, coral reefs are struggling to survive.

Coral Grief investigates the relationship between fossil fuels and coral bleaching. This piece combines glazed earthenware clay with mixed media elements to investigate the negative effects of fossil fuels on healthy coral. When coral comes into contact with oil, it begins to bleach, obstructing its growth and reproduction, and causes it to die. However, when coral bleaches, it is not dead; it is simply more vulnerable to damage. The gasoline container was painted white to represent the outside factor that causes healthy coral reefs to bleach. The coral pieces have a variety of textures, and are glazed with a variety of colors, to reflect healthy coral. Some coral pieces are white and dull, indicating bleached, unhealthy coral caused by the oil.