After Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill

Hurricane Katrina and last year’s oil spill in the Gulf underscored just how much New Orleans relies on the sea for its commerce, food, energy, and transport. Thalassa was born after Swoon began to spend time in the city, and was inspired by what she saw.

Although much of the “goddess” was made of new prints mounted on a thin wood backing and a lightweight metal armature, Swoon reused all kinds of scrap materials including rumpled newspaper, tissues, stenciled cut outs from previous pieces and a little bubble-wrap, according to the museum’s communications representative. The 34 year old artist managed to turn all these seemingly mundane objects into a powerful piece that is certain to wow everyone who is lucky enough to see it.

Thalassa is on show until September 25, 2011.

+ Swoon

+ NOMA