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This series explores the oyster’s life cycle and the people who cultivate them—a subject I felt compelled to interpret through my own lens. My journey began with a visit to Tybee Oyster on the Bull River, where I learned firsthand from founders Perry and Laura Solomon about the intricacies of oyster farming. I also gained valuable insight from Jason Manley of UGA Marine Extension, whose work in sustainable aquaculture helps support Georgia’s coastal communities.

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Back in the studio, I translated these experiences into a visual narrative. Using a silhouette, cyanotype, and mixed media, I depict the oyster’s transformation from seedling to maturity, integrating coastal plant forms as abstract representations of the environment that nurtures them.

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This body of work celebrates both the resilience of the oyster and the vital relationship between nature, community, and sustainable practices.