I chose to address the issue of plastic pollution for my piece “Keep It Clean”. Pollution, and plastic pollution, in particular, is one of the biggest threats to the health of the oceans and marine life. Plastic accounts for 60-80% of marine garbage and most plastics in the ocean are eventually broken up into small toxic particles known as “microplastics,” which are indestructible and easily ingested. As a native Californian, I grew up visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium where I was always awed by the majesty and biodiversity of the kelp forests, so I chose to illustrate this beautiful ecosystem. It saddens me to think that natural wonders like these and so many others may one day no longer exist due to climate change and human pollution. I wanted my piece to teem with life as the actual kelp forests do- garibaldi fish, pacific jack mackerels, and sea nettle jellyfish swim amongst the tangled strands of giant kelp as a harbor seal, a leopard shark, and a CA Sheephead look on at the scuba diver spearing trash. Sea urchins, coral, sponges, snails, anemones, crabs, and a sunflower sea star cover jutting rocks, but if you look closely, you can find some old bottle caps, a used condom, and other human pollution throughout the environment, acting as a subtle reminder of how pervasive our garbage is in the oceans. I wanted this piece to have a positive message: pollution is a huge problem, and plastic has permeated our lives in this modern world. However, there are still ways for us as individuals to make choices that benefit the health of our planet and oceans when given the opportunity. I hope that this piece can help remind us that we can do better, and it is up to us to protect and care for this planet.

Kristen Liu-Wong