Sugar Project - Underwater

Photo by Ken Yonetani (Top left) & Lucy Macnaught (All other images)

Details of this installtion: Dimension: 2.3m x 5.75m/Medium: White sugar, Sugar paste, Styrofoam, food coloring, Vanilla cake and Ceramics

Exhitited at Australian National University School of Art Gallery, Canberra in 2005.

'Coral reefs are the most species-rich marine ecosystem on Earth. Tens of thousands of species have evolved to co-exist in coral reefs, each species with its own unique shape and its own role in the ecosystem. Coral reefs have evolved to their present form over millions of years, continuously responding to changes. Nevertheless, these living underwater treasures are easily damaged. Unprecedented pressures from global climate change, agricultural and urban runoff, and over-fishing have severely degraded many coral reefs over the last 20 years. Concerted decisive action is needed to reduce air and water pollution, and to establish and support marine reserves, in order to protect these living underwater treasures into the future.'

- Dr. Katharina Fabricius,
Reef Ecologist
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

This installation is based on my research for coral bleaching at Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University and CRC Reef Research Centre, Townsville, Australia.