The Whale

In the Series Stories, a whale figurine found art serves as a bridge between two iconic European markets and a deeper environmental awareness. This piece features a weathered plastic figurine of a North Atlantic Right Whale, discovered amidst the chaotic charm of the Encants market in Barcelona. I have placed this traveller on the elegant "stage" of a vintage crystal Bohemian dish, a treasure unearthed at the Naschmarkt in Vienna. By bringing together objects from different stories and different cities, I create a new narrative that transcends geographical boundaries and speaks to the interconnectedness of our global waste and wonder.

The centrepiece of the composition is a vibrant Fibonacci spiral, meticulously crafted from tiny, multi-coloured polystyrene balls. While the spiral initially appears joyful and celebratory, its presence is intentionally ironic. It represents the "organized boat trips" marketed to tourists who wish to view these magnificent creatures in the wild. This whale figurine found art highlights the paradox of eco-tourism; the very act of seeking a connection with nature often disrupts the delicate environment these animals call home. The plastic material of the whale and the synthetic nature of the polystyrene spiral mirror the artificiality we impose on the natural world.

The choice of the Bohemian crystal dish from Vienna adds a layer of fragile sophistication. The deep blue hues of the resin mimic the ocean's depths, yet the sharp, rigid facets of the crystal remind us of the structured, often intrusive ways humans attempt to categorize and consume the wild. As the light hits the glass, it illuminates the whale, making it a focal point of both beauty and tragedy. We often forget that our "adventures" have footprints, even when those footprints are left in the water.

This whale figurine found art is a call to reflect on how we interact with the sea. The Fibonacci sequence, usually a symbol of perfect natural design, is here rendered in micro-plastics, suggesting that even our most "organized" efforts to appreciate nature can become a source of pollution and disturbance. Through this assembly of found objects, the Story Series continues to explore how forgotten items can speak loudly about our modern world, urging us to look beyond the surface of a "joyful" boat trip and see the impact beneath the waves.