This Artist’s Book was created as a continuation of work inspired by marine coral ecosystems. A colonial animal, coral relies heavily on its relationship with single celled algae called zooxanthellae. The algae provide food to the coral through photosynthesis whilst the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis is generated by the coral when it lays down its limestone skeleton which protects both animal and algae. The coral polyps are transparent but the algae living within them give them their glorious colours. As the marine ecosystem comes under pressure, due to warming seas, acidity and pollution, the zooxanthellae are expelled. The reefs literally haemorrhage life, and, as they empty, their colour and ability to support the needs of fish, invertebrates and a host of others including humans is lost. All that remains is their white skeleton.

Hand-torn Fabriano Artistico watercolour paper, Japanese Kozuke paper, watercolour, soy wax, and waxed linen thread.