Series: Waterworld
Title: Swamped Souls
I call this image, swamped souls. I see people underwater. They are standing upright, so I presume they are still alive. They look to be walking and possibly even attempting to talk, for some of them appear to be standing around in huddled groups, like they are engaged in collective conversation. All the while embalmed in a sort of clear liquid plasma. If you don’t see swamped souls that’s fine. We are all free to interpret things anyway we want.
interpretation |inˌtərprəˈtāSH(ə)n|
noun
the action of explaining the meaning of something: the interpretation of data.
• an explanation or way of explaining: this action is open to a number of interpretations.
• a stylistic representation of a creative work or dramatic role: two differing interpretations, both bearing the distinctive hallmarks of each writer’s perspective.
I’d like to think that by interpreting this image as a collection of figures immersed in water it is merely an extension of the theme that runs throughout my Waterworld series. i.e. an analogous interpretation of the idea that climate change is going to bring about severe sea level rise and as a result swamp the planet. Within the swamp, humanity will be left to fend for itself. There will be an immense struggle to survive, simply because humans are not adapted to life immersed in water.
This begs the question, what happens when we go sleeping with the fishes? What happens to a corpse in water?
‘Normally mere moments after expiry, body decomposition kicks in as bacterial enzymes start to break down the body’s soft tissue and spreads throughout the blood vessels. From there, it’s a pretty predictable process of putrefaction, then bloating, advanced decay, and finally, dry remains.
However, submersion in water slows down this process and most notably, stops the body from becoming a buffet for flies and other creepy crawlies like it does on land.
We all know how our hands look after taking a long bath? Can we imagine then what a corpse left in the ocean for months looks like.
The epidermis blisters and turns greenish-black. The skin on hands and feet becomes swollen, bleached, and wrinkled. Bacteria in the gut and chest cavity builds up and produces methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide — ie gas. This combination makes the body bloat and float up to the surface of the water. Because the gassy torso rises first, the head and limbs are left dangling behind — which is why often corpses or “floaters,” face-down in the water. The hands and feet are consistently the first things to break off the body.
A submerged or partially submerged corpse attracts a variety of crustaceans and other marine scavengers such as turtles and sharks to feed on the rotting flesh’.
Goodness, well on that happy note, I do think it might be a wise idea to nip this climate change thing in the bud. Don’t you?
Available now online. See link above. Giclee prints. Signed. Edition of 5. Delivered. Worldwide.
