Artist Zaria Forman, who we first got to know for her spectacular series on Greenland, continues to bring awareness to important environmental issues through her pastel drawings. Forman spent September 2013 in the beautiful Maldives, the lowest and flattest country in the world. She found inspiration there to create a new body of work that would shed light on a nation that could be entirely underwater within this century.
Each of her drawings, created with soft pastels on paper, are breathtaking in that they have a photorealistic quality to them. Forman has the ability to not only capture the different blue and green shades of the water but also the rising white crests of the ocean’s waves.
“I hope my drawings will raise awareness and invite viewers to share the urgency of the Maldivians’ predicament in a productive and hopeful way,” she states on her website. “I believe art can facilitate a deeper understanding of crises, helping us find meaning and optimism amidst shifting landscapes.”
Of the photo above she states, “Fabulous photographer Francois Lebeau took this the other day before it was finished – I just like that it gives you a sense of scale.” Love how she shares her “in progress” shots.
Zaria Forman’s website
Thanks for the tip, Eveline!