Taking British rock pools as a starting point, Emily has been diving into their fractal worlds; discovering the intricate relationships that lie within, looping and folding back on themselves. The life cycles, metamorphoses and the symbioses serve as a lesson on the limitations of individualism, and as the inspiration for the work displayed here.

Through this research Emily descends back to our watery beginnings and uncovers the materiality we share with marine species. Sponge like creatures living 750 million years ago are the organism from which humans and all other animals evolved. Human bones contain calcium carbonate (chalk), the same material many marine species use to build their skeletons.

The work also gives us pause to reflect on our current impact on many marine species, such as the dissolution and mutation of their skeletons through Co2 induced acidification of the ocean.

This installation was originally made at Open School East in 2023, and was reincarnated for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, 2024.

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