I’ve always aimed to tell a story through my work, and this piece is no exception. A recurring theme in my art is the idea that everything is connected. In my new painting “Reya,” the woman embodies all of us, deeply and unavoidably linked to the natural world around her. She is immersed in the ocean, its imagery of coral and fins flowing into her skin, while time winds its way through everything and the wind whips through her hair.

The fish skeleton is both beautiful and sobering. It speaks to the devastating reality of overfishing and the heartbreaking loss of life caused by the relentless exploitation of our seas. “Reya” was created to raise awareness of the challenges our oceans and their inhabitants face.

The name Reya means friend or companion and represents loyalty and kindness. It also translates to flowing stream, a symbol of steady and enduring force. Our oceans need that same steadfast force of care and commitment right now, because we are all connected.

I share David Attenborough’s warning on extinction: "This isn’t just about losing wonders of nature. With the loss of even the smallest organisms, we destabilize and ultimately risk collapsing the world’s ecosystems, the networks that support the whole of life on Earth. What humans do over the next 50 years will determine the fate of all life on the planet."

Caia Koopman