SHELBY SILVER
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Accumulate Rec​lamation

Accumulate Reclamation

Collected ocean plastics in efforts to heal the sea & reclaim its natural state.


   These works are made from plastic pieces which are harmful and dangerous to the marine animals who ingest and become entangled. This does not exclude humans. We are also susceptible to the ingestion of plastic via the trickle down effect, and can become entangled in rogue ghost nets as well.

Marine Animals mistake the plastic bits as food, eat, become falsely full, and die of malnutrition and or toxicity. With objects not belonging in the ocean such as nets left behind from fishing vessels, marine life of all kinds can and do become bycatch in the entrapment of ghost nets.


   

​All plastics have been collected from the ocean and then reshaped into sculpture, or sewn onto canvas painted to simulate an oceanic scene. 
​Hover over images below to read more about them.
Red and yellow sorted ocean plastics
Colorization and sizing process. Plucking these from the sand is a time consuming, labor intensive and mindful practice. When I am picking them up I am completely in the moment and feeling the intensity of circumstances before us.
Blue and green sorted Plastic Marine Debris
Blue and green sorted ocean plastics
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Ocean plastics sized and sorted ready for creating.
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Clump of various ocean plastics, buoys, nets and ropes pulled from Ecola Creek in Cannon Beach.

                                                                                                             Adrift, Ghost Net Basket Sculpture $400
Resembling a rocky coastline strewn with turquoise anemone adrift is a balancing reminder of our plastic debris riddled sea. Spending some of its life as a ghost net, this once well intended tool had transformed into a trap for marine life. Here it has been given a new purpose where it will no longer harm and serve as salty a testament of truth.
Net, rope, and black plastic found at Chapman point in Cannon Beach.
Hand woven and knotted together to form stability and increased unique visuals.
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Title: Under the Sea. Ghost Net Basket Sculpture $400
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Title: Knottical. Ghost Net Basket Sculpture, Sold.
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Title: Sea Mist. Ghost Net: Lg Basket Sculpture, Sold.
                                                                                                   


Reef Raff &         $1,050
Children's Reef    $3,000
once white and red colored rope were sewn to the oceanic backdrop to simulate coral being bleached by ocean acidification. Ocean Acidification is caused by a drop in the oceans PH and the absorption of carbon dioxide. Sadly many reefs around the world are in danger of being killed by warming waters created too much air pollution also known as Climate Change. Green ropes formed to create sea grass, which is also dying out due to heavy industry water pollution.
A coral reef is a major marine habitat which teams with life giving life, and is depended upon for shelter and food. With out them our oceans would cease in operating the same way and large die outs will occur.
Many marine animals depend upon sea grass for food and shelter. because of heavy industries water pollution sea grass fields are dying. The animals that need to eat the grass are being forced from this natural habitat and face starvation.
This particular project inspired me to begin keeping count of how many plastic pieces go into each painting/sculpture. Heavier than it looks the weight of plastic adds up and there are hundreds of ocean plastic bits sewn onto the canvas to recreate a reef.
This piece has deepened my understanding of what it is to serve our planet through the transformative process of art. looking at this, I well up knowing that each of these plastic bits will never have another opportunity to harm again.
Children's Reef, acquired its name when I asked my partner what his thoughts were on a title. I was having such a difficult time because I was working too closely with it. He said with out any other tries at it "Children's Reef." Because if we don't change our ways this is all they will be left with.


​All Plastic collected in Cannon Beach

Picture
45 x 14 Wandering Albatross Wing $2,700
Wandering Albatross Wing inspired by those inhabiting Midway Island.
A golden atmosphere adorned with an adult albatross wing span. Sewn on marine plastics washed up from the ocean.
Deceiving wood grain created by self cultivated textural painting techniques. Impasto in essence.
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11 x 16 Oral Fixation $875.00
  • About
  • Artists Statement
  • CV / Artists Resume
  • Stewardship Partners
  • Paintings
  • Installations
  • sculptures
  • Collaborations
  • Salt of Earth & Sea Studio
  • Sacred Intention