SVALBARD ANEMONE MANDALA I & II
by courtney mattison
2019-2020
glazed stoneware + porcelain; acrylic dome
each 99 x 99 x 15 cm (39 x 39 x 6 in)
onboard the national geographic ENDURANCE polar expedition ship
permanent collection of lindblad expeditions
curated by zaria forman as part of CHANGE
photos courtesy lindblad expeditions
Benthic invertebrate communities in the Arctic are exquisite with anemones, tunicates, soft corals and sponges growing among one another and undulating in the icy currents. This pair of ceramic sculptural works explores Svalbard, Norway's unique seafloor ecosystem in idealized vignettes that aim to inspire wonder, curiosity and conservation.