Sponges & Soft Corals by Susan Clare

Susan Clare

Sponges & Soft Corals

acrylic on canvas

56 x 40 cm

Signature: symbol on front

£800

Texture and blocky brushwork, plus sgraffito, stamping and spatters all give life to this interpretation of underwater life on a coral reef. These sponges and soft corals interest me in particular because they do such an important job of filtering the water, which, as sedentary animals, is how they catch their food.

A lot is said about how the rising sea temperatures are affecting the corals, but it is important to remember that these filter feeders (and the corals) are easily smothered by silty run-off from the land caused by construction and bad land management.

They are only beautiful, but play an important part in the reef ecosystem and maintaining healthy seas.