Subscribe now

Comment

These beautiful sculptures are watching over the Great Barrier Reef

Ocean Sentinels is a series of mostly underwater sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor, who hopes the statues will be colonised by corals and other threatened marine life

By Gege Li

7 June 2023

Sir Maurice Youge, Internationally renowned marine zoologist (1899-1986). His hybrid form is based on the local murex shell

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

THESE six mysterious forms seem to be watching over the dappled ocean depths, some appearing to be sunken relics of a distant past or structures carved by nature.

But look more closely and you will see that they are meticulously designed pieces of art, sent on a real-life rescue mission. Created by sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, they are part of his eight-piece installation, Ocean Sentinels, a new addition to the Museum of Underwater Art in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Townsville, Australia.

The Coral Greenhouse, with sculpted gardener. A 13m high structure weighing over 140 tons and planted with regional coral species.

The Coral Greenhouse

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

Dr Katharina Fabricius whose research is focused on the impacts of ocean acidification, water pollution and climate change on reef health. Her form is influenced by soft corals and sponges.

Figure of coral ecologist Katharina Fabricius

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

DeCaires Taylor’s works are hybrids, drawing on nature and real figures in marine science and conservation, and aim to revive the Great Barrier Reef. “Art and science are critical partners in the battle against climate change and fundamental in realigning our relationship to the natural world,” he says. The hope is that the works will be colonised by corals and other threatened marine species.

Dr Richard Braley, an expert of Giant clams is lowered into the sea from the barge

Statue of clam expert Richard Braley

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

The main image is a likeness of marine zoologist Maurice Yonge, his figure merged with the form of a murex shell. The second image shows: The Coral Greenhouse, planted with coral species; a figure of coral ecologist Katharina Fabricius, influenced by soft corals and sponges. Shown above, being lowered into the water, a statue of clam expert Richard Braley.

Jayme Marshall a young indigenous woman from Wulgurukaba and Yunnben traditional owners. Her rooted form is based on local Mangrove and Fig trees.

Statue of Jayme Marshall

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

Pictured above is a statue of Jayme Marshall, a Wulgurukaba and Yunbenen woman and Indigenous leader, merged with mangrove and fig trees.

Ocean Siren, a coastal sculpture linked to a weather station on the Great Barrier Reef. As sea temperatures change the siren changes colour to reflect the data. Prolonged high temperatures indicate a threat of coral bleaching. This modern day lighthouse creates a connection to an environment over 70km away, underwater. She holds a Bayler shell which is a traditional method of communication and historically used to bail out water from boats. A warning against the impacts of climate change.

Ocean Siren

JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

Ocean Siren (pictured above), is a sculpture inspired by Takoda Johnson, a young Wulgurukaba girl. Its colour depends on the daily water temperature, representing the condition of the reef.

Topics: