Tidal Sculpture

The barnacle zone is a familiar site on many shores—a white zone of little shelly pyramids occupying the highest reaches of the tide. Barnacles are the best-known members of the class of crustaceans known as Maxillopoda. These creatures are among the most abundant animals that live on the edge of the sea—in fact there can be at least one hundred per square foot. Not only do they thrive underwater on the surfaces of rocks and in crevices, but cling to turtles, whales and boat hulls, (to the consternation of sailors). 

 As a native of coastal Georgia, I have long been fascinated by the structural beauty and sculptural qualities of oyster rakes and barnacles. This piece is among the latest in a series of explorations that may best be described as ‘tidalsculpture.’