False Appearance

 

 

           My artwork focuses on a false appearance. We can see a beautiful background of the beach yet an ugly duck swimming by. The duck is made out of trash to emphasize the unhealthy lifestyle that birds live. Many times, we enjoy relaxing at the beach and watching many birds fly by. We like to watch them because we assume that they live in a peaceful habitat. However, we do not know if those poor birds are starving or dying. We love to stare at the fresh water but have no idea what floats under it. Birds consume anything they find over and under water without knowing that it can harm them. As a result, birds end up dying.

            The trash that makes up the duck was collected from Dockweiler Beach. Which demonstrates that in reality, birds are exposed to harmful objects. Birds frequently, if not always, mistake trash with food. They eat trash that damages their stomach. Birds feel full but are unaware that they are stuffed with objects such as lighters, cigarette butts, rubber, plastic, glass, foam, among other trash. I recently participated in one of the Heal the Bay cleanups at Dockweiler Beach and was surprised with the amount of trash I seen. Birds are exposed to different types of plastic such as plates and cups, water bottles, bags, trays, and even toys. I frequently saw glass and foam objects that are dangerous for birds to consume. Picking up trash was a helpful action.

            My artwork represents environmental injustice because it is unfair that birds pay the consequence of our actions. If we stop littering and instead clean up beaches, birds would not have to go through these situations. In fact, we can do these actions to offer birds a healthier habitat. It does not take much time and effort to throw away garbage in a trash can instead of the street. It will not only benefit birds but our communities as well. No one enjoys living in a dirty environment. It is time for change!