Artist Natalia Kapchuk’s latest project, The Lost Animals, emerges as a needed response to one of the most pressing crises of our time: the alarming decline and impending extinction of the planet’s critically endangered species. As both an artist and eco-activist, Kapchuk uses her craft to shines a spotlight on the urgent plight of these creatures, many of which reside on The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
This project serves as a poignant call to action, with each sculpture in the series represents a unique species, advocating for their protection and conservation. Kapchuk’s work is informed by years of meticulous research into the habitats and life histories of these endangered marine species. Her dedication is evident in the intricate craftsmanship of each piece, which employs materials such as recycled fiberglass using flocking techniques and finishes with hand detailing and electroplating.
Vividly crafted, Kapchuk’s sculptures capture the fascinating beauty and fragility of the selected species, emotionally underscoring the severe threats posed by human activities—such as commercial fishing, poaching, and pollution. These threats contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems and the broader environmental crisis, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life on Earth.
In Kapchuk’s own words: “The diversity, beauty, grace, and mystery of our planet’s marine life have deeply inspired me. Sadly, many species face drastic population declines and potential extinction, primarily due to human activities. Through The Lost Animals series, I aim to confront these critical threats, awakening viewers to the profound and heartbreaking realities facing our planet’s wildlife and fostering a greater commitment to conservation and protection.”
The sculptures presented in this impactful series feature vulnerable species such as the Blue Whale, Great Hammerhead, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Spinetail Devil Ray, Spotted Seahorse, Green Humphead Parrotfish, Great White Shark, Killer Whale, and Sunflower Starfish. Through this collection, Kapchuk highlights the immediate risks facing these species and calls for collective action to prevent their extinction, preserving the delicate balance of Earth’s marine ecosystems.
The Lost Animals stands as a profound personal manifesto by Artist Natalia Kapchuk, transforming the precarious situation of each endangered species into a visual and emotional experience that challenges us all to confront and address the environmental crises affecting our planet.
Sunflower SSWD – Silent Sunrise, 2023
Mixed Media Sculpture
Recycled Fiberglass, Sand Finish with Hand Drawing
Diameter: 60 cm
Depth Center: 15 cm
Depth Edge Line: 8,2 cm
Sunflower SSWD a set of sculptures from Natalia Kapchuk’s The Lost Animals series, highlights the urgent ecological crisis surrounding the Sunflower Sea Star (Pycnopodia Helianthoides). As the largest sea star species in the northeast Pacific Ocean, Sunflower Sea Stars play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, their populations have drastically decreased due to disease, habitat loss, and human impact.
These sculptures are crafted from recycled fiberglass with a sand finish and hand-drawn details, capturing the natural beauty and fragility of the species. Through a combination of textures and soft curves, Kapchuk depicts both healthy and diseased areas of the sea star’s body, illustrating the severe impact of Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD). First observed in 1972 and notably devastating between 2013 and 2015, SSWD has caused a decline of more than 90 percent in Sunflower Sea Star populations in some regions.
From 2004 to 2017, ecologists reported an 80-100% decline in the average biomass of marine animals, including Sunflower Sea Stars, emphasizing the scale of the crisis. Habitat loss due to urbanization, coastal infrastructure development, and shoreline modification has deprived sea stars of their essential living conditions. Additionally, intensive fishing reduces food availability, impacting sea urchins, mollusks, and other invertebrates that are crucial to the sea stars’ diet.
Sunflower SSWD is more than just a collection of sculptures; it is a powerful call to action. Natalia Kapchuk’s artwork underscores the importance of conserving Sunflower Sea Stars and protecting marine ecosystems. The sand finish and hand-drawn elements serve as a poignant reminder of the destruction caused by human activity, climate change, and pollution. Kapchuk’s work not only portrays the tragic decline of this species but also advocates for a comprehensive approach to its conservation, including disease management, environmental protection, and climate action.