September 12, 2018
This is Mandy Barker: Ocean's Plastic Pollution and The Effects on Earth's Inhabitants.
Mandy Barker is an international award winning photographer whose work involving marine plastic debris has received global recognition. The motivation for her work is to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the world's oceans whilst highlighting the harmful affect on marine life and ultimately ourselves. She has travelled all over the world collecting and documenting ocean garbage by creating these ethereal collages of celestrial found objects.
What is "Soup"?
SOUP is a description given to plastic debris suspended in the sea, and with particular reference to the mass accumulation that exists in an area of The North Pacific Ocean known as the Garbage Patch. The series of images aim to engage with, and stimulate an emotional response in the viewer by combining a contradiction between initial aesthetic attraction and social awareness. The sequence reveals a narrative concerning oceanic plastics from initial attraction and attempted ingestion, to the ultimate death of sea creatures and representing the disturbing statistics of dispersed plastics having no boundaries. Her series SOUP has been published in over 40 countries including TIME, The Guardian, VICE, The Financial Times, Smithsonian, GEO, National Geographic, The New Scientist, ARTE, El Pais, De Standaard, D-La Republicca, Greenpeace, Wired, Wallpaper* The Explorer’s Journal, and photography publications including, The British Journal of Photography, Fotografi Magazine, GUP, LensCulture, Fotoii, the RPS Journal, Fotographia, and Monthly Photography South Korea.
“East Wing presents the work of Mandy Barker, Caleb Charland & Arko Datto at Photo London 2018”
‘Beyond Drifting: Imperfectly Known Animals’ by Mandy Barker (UK) focuses on micro plastic pollution and the resulting insidious effects on our environment. Drawn from plankton studies by John Vaughn Thomson in 1880’s Ireland, this series illustrates that this same plankton is now ingesting plastic. Mandy has traveled the globe with scientists studying plastic waste, her images help audiences understand this growing concern. Also presented for this exhibitions will be images from her series SOUP.
Voyage Across the Pacific 10th June - 8th July 2012
Mandy Barker set sail on a yacht to take part in an unprecedented opportunity alongside scientists and educators on a month long research trip, preparing to sail through the Japanese Tsunami debris field and across the North Pacific Ocean. Her objective was to photograph all plastic debris discovered on the journey following a natural progression and expansion from her previous projects that are concerned with marine plastic debris. Being able to record the Tsunami debris first-hand, whilst being conscious of the devastating circumstances of its existence and the emotional impact of what it represents, has provided a unique opportunity to inform from a location not previously attempted
Prior to the voyage Mandy spent time volunteering and visiting in the area of Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, which was badly affected by the massive earthquake and devastating Tsunami. The visit was distressing, but crucial in trying to comprehend the devastation that took place there.
“To experience actually standing in an area devastated by the Tsunami and seeing what remains almost a year-and-a-half on was overwhelming and will always stay with me. This altered my approach and thoughts whilst on the voyage and will affect the way my final images will be presented”.
Limited Edition at the Affordable Art Fair
Hong Kong Soup: 1826 - Lotus Garden 2014
H 145 cm x W 102 cm x D 0.1 cm
Digital Print Limited edition, UnframedUnsigned
Edition of 8 – 5 available
£2,800.00
