It's not unusual for artists to use their work to convey a social or political message, but only a few of them take to the very places where their concern lies.
That's not the case for New York–based artist Sean Yoro, who goes by the name of Hula, and who is known for painting large murals in rather unusual places, including underwater.
Using nontoxic acrylic paints, Hula sits on a surfboard and paints images that will be covered and revealed as the tides rise and fall, and uses the ocean itself to influence the composition.
Previously, he's worked on walls, abandoned ships, and other solid items. But for his latest project, he's trying something a little less permanent. Why? For a very serious reason.
Hula headed north, surfboard in hand, and painted murals not on walls, but on icebergs floating — and melting — in the ocean.
They won't last of course, but then that's the point…
(h/t: Lost At E Minor)
Hula traveled to the cold north for this project, and spent time scouting out locations that would be good for his project.
He got his idea from working in watery areas in the past. This mural, on the side of a shipwreck, continues right down below the waterline.
And when the tide went out, more of the image was revealed.
When he found a suitable place, he got to work. Bundled against the cold and balanced on a surfboard with his paints, Hula began painting directly on the iceberg. As the iceberg melts and the water level rises, the painting will disappear.
And that's the point. These icebergs had recently broken off from a glacier, and were rapidly melting. The name of the series is A'o 'Ana, which is Hawaiian for 'the warning.'
Hula wants to alert people to the imminent dangers of climate change, and how it threatens our planet, our ecosystems, and us.
"Within a few weeks, these murals will be forever gone, but for those who find them, I hope they ignite a sense of urgency, as they represent the millions of people in need of our help who are already being affected from the rising sea levels of climate change."
That's big stuff, but raising awareness and helping people understand how to help — that's big stuff, too.
You can see more of Hula's work on his website, as well as on Instagram and Facebook.
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