Animals first entered human imagination as messengers and promises, many with a magical or spiritual connection, living with us and around us in the world.

When BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20, 2010, it spewed millions of gallons of crude oil across a huge swath of ocean and coastline. The disaster caused widespread damage to one of the richest marine environments in the world.

THE MESSENGERS are sea creatures that have taken human form to march from the Gulf of Mexico to Washington DC to demand better environmental protection for coastal waters.

This series (subtitled 20,000 Leagues to Washington) is comprised of 21 aquatint etchings with embroidered thread. Each plate is sized variably—all printed on Hahnemühle Copperplate paper. APs are displayed here with corresponding inkjet mats. A short video animation of their journey is posted below ↓