ARTIST:
TITLE: From 36 views of Green Island: No 18. Flotsam
MEDIUM: Japanese woodblock print
SIZE: 25*19cm
EDITION: 25
FRAMED: Yes
SOLD
Walking on the beach, one finds a variety of natural flotsam, with seashells, driftwood and pumice stone among the piles of stranded kelp. There is also pollution, including plastics, polystyrene and the rubber thong. This style of footwear, known elsewhere as the flip flop has evolved from the traditional Japanese Zori sandal, which was made from woven straw and leather.
Abandoned fishing nets are a serious threat to large marine animals and the thong is another problem. On a section of North Australian coastline each year between 100 and 300 plastic bottle wash ashore per kilometre, and between 50 and 100 rubber thongs. About every fourth plastic bottle and every fifth rubber thong has turtle and fish bite marks. If swallowed, the thong can lead to lethal digestive complications.
These 36 views are presented in the Sosaku Hanga tradition: self carved and hand printed, using Japanese tools, Japanese mulberry washi and traditional pigment colours. Each print will be made from 4 to 6 blocks in an edition of 25 copies.