As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, Kenyan-British ceramicist Megan White is harnessing the power of art to spotlight humanity's vital relationship with the world's oceans. Born and raised along Kenya's coastline, White's intricate ceramic sculptures of crustaceans, lobsters, and oysters reveal hidden beauty in marine ecosystems often dismissed as mundane.
"The sea isn't just a resource – it's our collective lifeline," White told KhabarAsia.com during preparations for her UN-backed exhibition. Her childhood experiences of watching coral reefs bleach and fish populations decline now fuel her mission to reframe environmental stewardship as cultural preservation.
White's work comes at a critical juncture, with UN data showing over 11 million metric tons of plastic entering oceans annually. Through tactile, large-scale installations, she invites viewers to reconsider their connection to marine life. "When people see the delicate textures of a ceramic lobster's shell," she explains, "they start asking why we treat these creatures as disposable."
The exhibition forms part of broader UN@80 programming addressing sustainable development goals. Cultural analysts note White's approach bridges artistic expression and ecological advocacy – a combination gaining traction across Asia's coastal nations facing similar environmental challenges.
