Strand Library now boasts two wax mermaid sculptures filled with plastic, as part of an initiative that started years ago in KwaZulu-Natal to raise awareness of marine pollution.
Named “A Mermaydes Tail”, they are among five created in 2015.
Their creator, Catherine Muller, a keen scuba diver, observed how the local underwater environment had changed over just 20 years. Saddened but driven, she started to collect plastic off Blue Lagoon Beach in Durban to raise awareness, her objective being to draw viewers’ attention to humankind’s involvement and passive contribution to this global problem.
The sculptural installation consists of five wax mermaids filled with the litter that Catherine collected.
The sculptures were originally given to Plastics SA a few years ago in Durban at an exhibition, at a time plastic pollution had become even more of a concern among many, Plastics SA sustainability manager John Keiser said.
“We have been active in plastic pollution for more than three decades and are one of the organisations that have been very vocal and active in this field. The plastics industry internationally is very concerned about plastics leakage.”
Asked why Strand Library was chosen for the sculptures, he said it came down to passionate awareness raising, about an issue most people needed to be reminded of, that plastics should not receive all the blame, but poor waste management and littering are what intervention is needed against.
“The Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement [Hoam], and specifically Lisa Starr, is doing sterling work in addressing environmental issues in the Helderberg area,” said Keiser, “and what better area to begin in. South Africans need to start knowing the impact of their actions, and we are losing our environment faster than it is being replenished.
“Plastic is not the evil most people make out to be. It assists in so many ways not immediately evident, but it helps against global warming, uses less energy and is making living in the 21st century possible. We just need to manage it better.”
Asked to comment, Starr said Hoam was thrilled to have two of these donated eye opening pieces, along with the artist’s journal and a book that showcases all five artworks.
“We at Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement believe education is key, so you will find these sculptures at Strand Library. She will hopefully do a tour over time of all our local libraries. So please pop down and let your children see these Ladies Of The Sea. It’s so important that our future footprint makers are aware of the negative impact we can cause on our planet. Also, please encourage your children to keep the environment clean and pick up what they see. The truth is, we are all affected by plastic, both externally and internally.”
