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100 Species

June 29, 2023  |  By Charlotte Johnson

Sea Pen by Kat Butler

Sea Pen by Kat Butler

Before this project I had never heard of a sea pen! It looks amazing and otherworldly – almost unbelievable these are found in the Forth. I chose it firstly because I found it fascinating visually, but after researching it I was even more intrigued. It is not one single animal, but a colony of polyps which fuse together. They have similarities with anemones and corals. This particular species, the phosphorescent sea pen (Pennatula phosphorea) is yellow or pink, but it gives off a fluorescent blue green glow when it’s disturbed. Because they need a stable seabed to anchor into, they are mostly found in deeper waters – probably why they are not generally a well-known species.

In my artwork I have depicted the sea pen in its pink state, however I have tried to suggest its luminous properties by using fluorescent paints. I painted with gouache and used masking fluid to create blended, colourful papers with a watery texture, which I then cut using a scalpel. I made a box frame from board in which to set my paper diorama, painting it with fluorescent pink acrylic. By mounting the cut pieces onto sturdy board and layering each piece with stacks of foam sheet in-between, I have created a 3D image within the frame. Individual threads in orange, yellow and pink were cut and glued onto the sea pen branches to represent the delicate fronds of the polyps.

Materials: The board used for the box frame and for stabilising the sea pen and rock elements was sourced from parcel packaging material. I used watercolour paper and foam sheet leftovers. The acrylic paint and gouache were from the CAN Van, an artist materials swap with Circular Arts Network and Fife Contemporary. Threads used for the polyps were bought from a scrap store in Crieff called Remake.

Article by Charlotte Johnson

Previous StoryWakame Seaweed by Rosemary Everett
Next Story100 Species Map by Strathbrock Community Centre Children’s Art Class

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Regular updates from the Edinburgh Shoreline project and 6 community groups. We welcome guest postings, so if you’d like to contribute please contact us.

Posts

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    Edinburgh Shoreline Meets Archie Johnston at Cockenzie Thursday, 19, Oct
  • Bill on his boat MV Conserver explaining all about those valves…
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  • Wolf Fish by Issy Hendrie
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  • ‘Save our seaweeds’ by Alison Harker
    ‘Save our seaweeds’ by Alison Harker Monday, 28, Aug
  • Alison Harker – Native Oyster
    Native Oyster by Alison Harker Monday, 28, Aug

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Edinburgh Shoreline is an exciting, community centred initiative celebrating the city’s 27km coastline, and around the rest of the Forth.

We are rediscovering its fascinating and often unknown history and the rich plant and animal life that survives against the odds in unexpected places, and inspiring people to explore their coast and take responsibility for its future health.

 

 

We are very grateful to our current partners and funders

We are very grateful to have been supported and funded so well in the past.

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