The Corals series by Vivien Ruth Sutah Ruxton (*1987) strikes a fascinating balance between unity and individuality: each coral shines both as an integral part of the overall concept and as a unique work of art. Corals, often hidden in the deep sea, are brought into the light and the foreground through painting. Corals are not solitary creatures, they form colonies that create complex, closely-knit communities. Despite their small size, each coral contributes significantly to the stability and health of the entire reef. So the series holds a mirror up to us: It challenges us as a society to recognise the fragility and importance of our ecosystems and to apply this to the interdependence of our society.
Corals are fascinating not only because of their filigree delicacy and remarkable resilience. They are the master builders of the oceans, providing habitat and food for around 25 % of all marine life, making them an important component of global biodiversity. Coral reefs protect coasts from erosion and storm damage by absorbing wave energy. They are also important resources in various fields such as medicine (cancer research). They support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide. But corals are under threat: climate change, environmental pollution and human intervention are putting them under massive pressure. Without corals, many sea creatures and ultimately we humans will have to bear considerable consequences. So the profound question arises:
while corals can survive without us humans, can we as humans survive without the unique attributes of corals?
With the series and the use of various painting media such as oil, ink, acrylic and gouache, Ruxton explores the balance described at the beginning in an impressive and versatile way. Like ink spreading on a damp surface in a cloudy, free and almost unbounded manner, coral grows in often unpredictable, fluid patterns. This technique illustrates the apparent detachment from fixed boundaries that can be observed both in art and in the natural growth of coral. Acrylic colours, with their fast drying time, create clear edges and defined lines. These sharp contours are reminiscent of the precise, often angular structures of many coral formations.
Ruxton‘s father comes from Australia, while her mother’s roots include the Seaconke Wampanoag – an indigenous tribe from the USA. In the Corals series, as in her other works, she also incorporates elements of her own complex family history. Corals possess a genetic memory that enables them to react to changing environmental conditions over generations. In a similar way, many indigenous communities preserve and transmit knowledge over generations, for example about land use, remedies or the sustainable use of resources. These parallels, which Vivien Ruxton skilfully captures in her artistic depiction of corals, challenge us to appreciate and protect the fragile beauty and immense importance of corals and to reflect on our own and society’s role in global ecosystems.
J. Johnson, 2024
