With this piece, I wanted to depict a barren coral reef, which has died due to acidification. What we can presume was once a thriving reef is now devoid of life and color.

This idea was inspired by a snorkeling excursion in a coral reef in the Bahamas. It was breathtaking to see all of the color and life: fish of all different sizes twirling around, elegant seaweed swaying with the tide, and vivid coral pulsating with life. As I kept swimming and looking around, I noticed that large sections of coral were pale and eerily empty. There were no fish or any kind of marine life near these dead areas.

Coral reefs are vital marine habitats that support both ocean life and human economies, but are dying at unprecedented rates due to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This process is largely exacerbated by burning fossil fuels. As the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, it becomes more acidic, and it becomes impossible for corals to build their skeletons.

The one orange fish swimming through the dead coral reef in my painting is a reminder of what once was.

Vasilisa Romanenko