Calamities: Plastic & Fauna
BY JESSICA ANGELA O’NEILL
O’Neill wants to see the consumption and production of plastic decrease significantly. She fears the “ubiquitous nature of microplastics” contributes to the “impending doom” felt by many in relation to the ecological and climate emergency. Calamities: Plastic and Fauna was prompted by this microplastic crisis. During the 2020 UK lockdown, O’Neill created a project that blends self-portraits with sea fauna cyanotypes to emotionally connect viewers to the gravity of the microplastic issue. She does this by juxtaposing human-made materials, sea life and the human experience.
ABOUT JESSICA
Born in London, Jessica Angela O’Neill is a second generation Polak, and former student athlete at Wellington College. O’Neill found her artistic voice whilst studying BA (Hons) Photography at The University of Brighton, eliciting “my mission is to create striking visuals that will facilitate changed environmental behaviours”. O’Neill has a strong affiliation for the world’s oceans and her latest practice explores the ubiquitous nature of Micro-plastics and the perpetuating doom that it promises. Showcasing her work at Photo London 2021 for the Graduates Salon as part of ‘The Fair’s Acclaimed Discovery Section’, ‘Viewfinder’ for Photo Swindon 2021 and most recently placed third in the international CreateCOP26 competition- being hailed as an ‘Emerging Artist on the themes of Climate Change’ by Art Partner after exhibiting for their online exhibition. Her work has been shown in various international publications such as Vogue. O’Neill is a conceptual artist that currently lives and works in Brighton, U.K.