Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans - Mexico Expedition 2014

PangeaSeed in collaboration with 1xRUN, Residencia Gorila, World Art Destinations and Juxtapoz Latin America are pleased share with you the results of Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans – Mexico Expedition. The week-long mural festival took place July 20-28, 2014 on the island of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

The mission of Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans – Mexico Expedition is simple: our goal was to raise awareness for the conservation of the ocean and greatly needed protection for the whale sharks and manta rays off the Yucatan peninsula, by means of art and creativity.

For this pioneering project, we collaborated with a select group of internationally acclaimed contemporary artists: Curiot, Saner, Nosego, Shark Toof, Tristan Eaton, Celeste Byers, Meggs, Cinzah Merkens, Tatiana Suárez, Hannah Stouffer, Smithe, Aaron Glasson, Yoh Nagao, Vexta and Pelucas.

These artists were given the opportunity to swim with and study whale sharks and oceanic manta rays and experience these majestic giants in their natural environment. Both of these iconic ocean animals are listed as species threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Despite the protection efforts of several countries, these animals are considered highly lucrative for the Asian shark fin trade and the growing mega aquarium trade both adding pressures on their already vulnerable populations.

In turn, inspired by their personal animal encounters, the artists created a series of 14 large-scale ocean-themed murals on Isla Mujeres to help educate and raise greatly needed awareness within the local and tourist communities for the plight of these animals and oceans. The murals also highlight the benefits of ecotourism and the long-term sustainability of natural resources. Furthermore, educational workshops engaged local youth to learn more about whale sharks and what they can do to help save our seas.

Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans is a new approach to ocean conservation, marrying art and activism – or as we like to call it “ARTivism”.

Special thanks to all the supporting artists, partners and sponsors for helping to make this project possible.