Inspired by the grace and beauty of Antarctic penguins gliding beneath the ice, Swimming with Penguins reflects my deep admiration for the effortless movement of these creatures in their frigid, underwater world. Watching them in National Geographic documentaries, I am transported to the serene, blue depths, captivated by their quick, fluid grace. Growing up in the desert of Arizona, I learned to see water both as a precious, life-giving resource and a source of danger, as the monsoons brought sudden, unpredictable floods. My bond with water is spiritual—whether swimming, surfing, or snorkeling, its movement and transformative power have always fueled my artistic inspiration.

The alarming depletion of water resources, both in the Southwest and the polar regions, drives my concern for the future. Water scarcity and the melting of ice are not just environmental issues—they are global crises that will affect every one of us. In Swimming with Penguins and my broader series, Listening to the Voice of Water, I aim to spark conversations about the preciousness of water and its profound impact on both our physical and spiritual lives. As viewers immerse themselves in the work, I hope it will inspire reflections on the water that sustains us and the need for urgent action to protect it.

This piece was selected for The Flag Project in 2022 by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Climate Museum, where it was reproduced as a 5' x 8' flag flown over Rockefeller Center for Earth Day 2022.