Russell Solomon

Dinosaurs...SURVIVED! Mass extinction event...SURVIVED! Ice Age... SURVIVED! Plastic pollution...??? 1998–ongoing

Recycled copper wire and repurposed upcycled milk bottles
10 x 180 x 450 cm

About the Work

Dinosaurs…SURVIVED! Mass extinction event…SURVIVED! Ice Age…SURVIVED! Plastic pollution…??? represents an iconic scene of adorable little sea turtle hatchlings to draw the viewer in with a sense of joy, whimsy and curiosity. However, the installation conveys a more serious message.

This artwork addresses the exhibition’s theme of ‘Trace-less’ through Russell Solomon’s conscious use of recycled and repurposed materials, minimising the installation’s impact on the environment.

The clever use of upcycled milk bottle plastic to represent the eggs, from which multiple hatchlings are yet to emerge, gives us an opportunity to reflect on the part we play in the creation of plastics polluting our oceans.

About the Artist

Russell Solomon’s work mostly concerns the natural environment, its inhabitants, and our impact on it. He uses recycled objects and materials to minimise his environmental footprint. In his latest sculpture, Russell continues to bring audiences a sense of joy and whimsy, a connection to easily recognisable and relatable scenes that later reveal a more important message.