My head when I look at the shore, 2023

Tani Telas  

"My Head When I Look at the Shore" is an unexpected self-portrait, born from a visceral confrontation with the reality of marine pollution. The work comes to life from an unconventional material: remnants of ship paint and antifouling, pigments charged with the history of maritime voyages and, paradoxically, their environmental impact. These raw materials, recovered and transformed, serve as the foundation for a profound reflection, then redefined and refined through oil paint.

This creation is a poignant exploration of our relationship with the ocean. It questions the omnipresent presence of waste that impacts the sea, not only as silent witnesses to our passage, but also as mirrors of our collective actions. The work invites introspection on our actions as humans, highlighting the dichotomy between our dependence on the sea and the often destructive consequences of our behavior.

Beyond simple observation, "My Head When I Look at the Shore" expresses a palpable disgust at incivility. It reflects a frustration, a powerlessness felt in the face of the degradation of what should be preserved. The self-portrait, in spite of itself, thus becomes the face of this environmental consciousness, distorted by anguish and dismay, but also driven by a burning desire to raise awareness.

By combining the ruggedness of recycled materials with the subtlety of oil paint, this work creates a visual tension that embodies the paradox of our times: the fragile beauty of nature versus the indelible imprint of human activity. "My Head When I Look at the Shore" is not just a representation; it is a cry, a challenge, a work that urges us to look beyond the horizon to perceive the storm brewing within and around us.