The notion that the top predator in our oceans and waterways isn’t just a marlin, whale or pelagic fish but also plastic waste.

Bryan Shephard’s 2018 solo exhibition, ‘Top of the Ocean’, explores the predatory nature of plastic in our oceans through two-dimensional and three-dimensional works.

“It feeds on habitats and slowly kills many marine creatures and fish. It floats in currents, covering plants and marine inter-tidal areas. It clogs waterways and some beaches, and makes its own city-scapes. Plastic waste is its own mini environment, a place, like a school of bait, or a floating weed.The degradation cycle for some plastic items can be years to decades. It will form a layer when archeologists dig down to our time. Plastic forms part of our predatory marine life, so maybe we should think of it not as it’s own form but as a part of a known marine predator’s form – linking the form with the action.”

‘Top of the Ocean’ is open to the public 24 October to 3 November 2018, from Wednesday to Saturday 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

About Bryan:

Bryan Shephard (or Sheppo to his friends) is a sculptor who breaks down barriers to artwork, making it accessible to the common man. One of things that makes Bryan’s work so appealing, is his ability to combine his background as a tradie and manual arts teacher to both construct and inform his work. There is much more to this Brisbane’s artists work than just a skilled and adept builder’s hand.

To read more, head to Aspire’s website.