In the months before World Oceans Week in early June, Keys resident Tiffany Duong worked in collaboration with Islamorada sponsors, as well as New York students and artists, to complete “Trash Turtle,” a sculpture of a leatherback sea turtle made from the marine debris that threatens its existence.
Exhibited in New York City in early June, the “artivism” project was a collaborative effort among students from New York Harbor School, artists Nikki Riddy, Jenny Marketou, Ben von Wong and former Keys resident Vic Cassar. Conservation biologist Callie Veelenturf and sponsors Eye Catcher Signs, SFDS Design House and NOAA fisheries were also involved.
The design reflects Veelenturf’s conservation efforts.
“Leatherback sea turtles eat nearly their weight in jellyfish daily, playing a crucial role in maintaining balanced marine ecosystems,” said Veelenturf, who founded the nonprofit Leatherback Project. “Plastic bags often resemble jellyfish in the oceans and can be consumed by sea turtles — threatening their survival.”
Proposed in November 2023, with the assembly process lasting from February to June, the project was built by New York high school students working under the guidance of Marketou, Riddy and Duong. The work was “created by an entire community of people who love the ocean,” Duong said.
Marketou guided the four students in sculpting with donated marine debris. The life-sized turtle, measuring nearly 6 feet tall with a 9-foot wingspan, was built around a wooden frame covered with upcycled boat vinyl donated by Islamorada’s Eye Catcher Signs and decorated with upcycled household plastics and marine debris, including plastic bags found in and around New York Harbor.
“Tiffany asked if I had any materials I would like to donate for the project. I said, ‘Of course, it sounds like a great event,’” said TJ Hayes, Keys resident and owner of Eye Catcher Signs.
Displayed at New York’s Explorers Club during World Oceans Week, the work provided an urgent environmentalist message in highlighting the leatherback and its near-extinction as a result of pollution.
“(The piece) showcases the threat that marine debris and plastic pollution pose to sea turtles,” Duong said. “Underlying the piece is, of course, the suggestion of shoreline cleanups, upcycling, diversion, and other measures to combat the marine debris problem currently facing our oceans.”
With its activist approach, the project falls in line with many of the recurrent themes of Jenny Marketou’s artistic oeuvre.
“I believe art should bring awareness about the environment, about the climate crisis, about all issues that could concern us,” Marketou said.
The work was exhibited publicly until June 11 at the Explorers Club, and will remain on permanent exhibition at the New York Harbor School, in appreciation of their generous support of the project.
