Muricide Bouquet
Virginia Holland
Sophomore, Stamps School of Art & Design
Holland Artwork
Medium

Photograph

Abstract 

This artwork is exploring the biological significance of a Mericidae shell. These snails display the power of natural selection in shaping organisms for survival. In contrast to that flowers have also adapted from evolution, to attract pollinators. This contradiction creates a visual metaphor for the forces of nature, protection, and attraction. The fragility of our ecosystem and the threat posed to shell-forming organisms is displayed in this work. The presence of the empty shells in this piece is a reminder of what remains when life is lost. It is an echo of past existence, a silent testimony to environmental change.

This artwork is part of a study I did on the form of a Muricidae shell, exploring its biological significance and how that relates to me. The shell shows a defense mechanism that these snails have acquired through evolution helping them survive in their environment. By developing protective structures over millions of years, these snails show us the power of natural selection in shaping organisms for survival. In contrast to that, flowers have also adapted from evolution. However, they changed for the opposite reason. In order to attract pollinators to help continue their species’ survival. This contradiction is something that I wanted to use to create a visual metaphor for the forces of nature, protection, and attraction. This work also displays the complexity of marine life. These shells come from a species of predatory marine snails that play a key role in the food web. Their shells serve as both a defense and a potential hide-away for other marine life after the snail’s death, symbolizing the cycle of life and the delicate balance within the ocean’s marine habitats. The fragility of our ecosystem and the threat posed to shell-forming organisms is displayed in this work. The acidification of the ocean, pollution, and climate change are all challenges making it more and more difficult for marine animals to build and maintain their shells. The presence of the empty shells in this piece is a reminder of what remains when life is lost. It is an echo of past existence, a silent testimony to environmental change.