I explore nature’s vastness, simplicity, and its
fragility. These elements emit aesthetic sensations of harmony,
expressions of timelessness, and feelings of inspiration that transcend
space and time. The imagery of my work does not accurately
represent nature; rather, I try to unveil an abstraction of its character
to raise awareness of the importance for preserving the natural world.
Ocean acidification is a deadly threat to marine life. This cascade effect compromises the long-term viability of these ecosystems and impacts an estimated one million species that depend on its coral reef habitat.
My aim with Lyre Series paintings is to draw attention to the acidification and restoration of coral reefs. The imagery of these paintings transcend the literal representation of corals focusing on their fragility and the expansiveness within our warmed oceans. This illusion is achieved by pouring and painting encaustic wax to a thickness of ¼”. Embedded within the layers of wax are stenciled images of harp-shaped Lyre and Staghorn corals embedded within palladium and 23K gold metal leaf.
I have been working on this series for more than eight years, spending much time studying coral collapse and reef bleaching in locations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Cayman Islands, Florida Keys, Singapore and the polar oceans in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Fortunately, assisted organism evolution techniques (genetic engineering, super reef production, coral restoration) being performed abroad and here at the world renowned marine laboratories are well underway to save coral reefs from extinction, demonstrating promising results. Moreover, geoengineering technologies are helping to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide and the acidity of our oceans without the
need to drastically cut carbon emissions. I am optimistic mankind is committed to saving coral reefs and other marine organisms. A step in this direction is the ongoing construction and production of high ocean temperature-resistant corals.
It is my hope these paintings will encourage society to protect and conserve our corals and oceans.
Charyl Weissbach received a BFA in painting and art history from Massachusetts College of Art & Design. Her studio is located in Boston’s SoWa Artist’s District. Her artwork is in many private and corporate collections, including Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, University of Pennsylvania, Winchester Hospital, Novacare and Oracle Pharmaceuticals. Images of her paintings are featured in Encaustic Works 2012: A Biennial Exhibition in Print, 100 Artists of New England, Boston Magazine’s Design Home, and in the book, Encaustic Art in the Twenty-First Century. She has presented at the International Encaustic Conference and is represented by multiple galleries and has exhibited at museums such as Danforth Art, Art Complex Museum, Fuller Craft, Springfield, New Bedford, Saco and the Mattatuck Museum.