Jesse James
World Ocean Day took place on June 8th. The event takes place all around the world, and it was celebrated in unique form in Sydney, Australia. The multi-dimensional artist James Peter Henry lit up the famous sails of The Sydney Opera House. The piece, ‘Great Barrier Reef,’ was on display as part of an exhibition dubbed Kingdom of Coral.
The CollaborOCEANS initiative for the UN’s World Ocean Day featured multiple artists, activists, and ocean lovers, gathered together with their favorite oceanic moments. The goal is to raise awareness of ocean conservationism while showcasing some of the most transcending moments the underwater kingdom offers. The exhibition included art from reef activist Valerie Taylor, marine photography by Charlotte Piho, diving footage of Olympic hopeful Sam Fricker, and more.
Mr. Henry spoke about the exhibition. He stated: “The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings in the world.” The artist went on to add, “She is one of the true Gems of Australia, and so are our oceans and our coral reefs. One look at The Great Barrier Reef suffices to understand the magnificence of the ocean. I couldn’t think of a better way to bring awareness to such a great cause than by quite literally enlightening the sails of the Sydney Opera House for all to see the beauty of the underwater kingdom.”
The artwork, ‘Great Barrier Reef,’ features his cubism style, offering a colorful look at the coral reef and its inhabitants. The vibrant colors and strong defined lines create a beautiful depth. The artist went on to say, “Our ocean is a magical land of wonders and natural beauty.” He added, “The inspiration came in with such ease. The scene was already painted: the multitude of shapes and sizes of all the living creatures and the vivacity of the colors occurring naturally in the reef drew me in instantly. What better way to showcase its beauty and incite Ocean conservation than by lighting up this iconic Australian building. Let’s preserve this treasure for all future generations.”
Take a look at ‘Great Barrier Reef’ in the images and find out more about James Peter Henry here. While you’re at it, keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more art news and art exhibitions coming very soon.
Photos via James Peter Henry
