“Blue Reef Fish #4”
Reclaimed Mixed Media Art
by Deborah Sherron Miller
Size: 12" x 12"
Acrylic paint on canvas and reclaimed material such as: yarn, running medals, eyeglass arm, bee button, plastic trash, toys, aluminum can, plastic knives, fabric, and plastic sandwich toothpick.
Reef Fish assembled from recycled plastics, synthetic fibers, repurposed running medals, and fragments of discarded materials. These elements come together to form a vibrant, shimmering fish—an organism that appears lively and intricate at first glance, yet is entirely composed of human-made debris.
Inspired by the fragile ecosystems of coral reefs, the work reflects both their beauty and their vulnerability. Coral reefs are among the most diverse environments on Earth, yet they are increasingly threatened by pollution, particularly plastic waste that accumulates in ocean currents and settles into delicate marine habitats. In this piece, the fish becomes both a resident of the reef and a carrier of its contamination.
By constructing a marine creature from the very materials that endanger its existence, Reef Fish highlights the paradox of modern consumption: the same culture that admires and celebrates natural beauty often contributes to its degradation. The piece invites viewers to reflect on their connection to these distant ecosystems and consider the lasting impact of everyday materials on environments that depend on balance and care.
