Coral Canopy

Embroidery thread and pins on paper
Framed in a deep box (6cm) frame behind museum glass
Framed size: 73 x 73 x 6cm (width x height x depth)

The idea to create this ‘Coral Canopy’ came from encountering a canopy of trees exhibiting crown shyness. This is feature observed in some tree species, in which the crowns of fully stocked trees do not touch each other, instead forming a canopy with channel-like gaps.

While observing the beautiful patterns that the gaps in these trees formed I began thinking about how corals grow and coexist with their neighboring corals.

To me, my embroidered Coral canopy reflects the current fragile state of the world’s coral reefs. I see this piece as a porthole view of seemingly healthy coral branches, hanging in a delicate balance. The patterning and winding channel-like gaps within these coral branches are inspired by crown shyness in trees. Trees in a delicate balance with their neighbours. Corals also survive within a delicate balance, they are constantly fighting not only for space adn light wiht their neighbouring corals, but also for thier very survival in our rapidly changing and warming oceans.

The vibrant blue/violet colour used in this peice reflects anothe recently observed phenomena of coral flurecence. Some coral species are displaying this kind of cibrant blue colour prior to bleaching.