We have had yet another small change around at my house in Brighton and two new housemates. It always seems that whoever we get moving in is always fascinating and has some kind of connection with subjects or artists who I find extremely interesting. It turns out that Hannah, one of my new housemates, is a sculptor who is going out to Mexico soon to work with artist Jason de Caires Taylor. He happens to be the creator of the world’s first underwater sculpture park, where sculptures sited in clear shallow water surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc form the basis of artificial reefs. Marine wildlife live around and on the sculptures, changing them structurally and adding to their narrative.

Most of the concepts behind the individual sculptures incorporate the natural changes that occur under the water and the growth of coral organisms. The statues are often only fully complete once these processes have taken place. Some have recesses meant to be filled and completed by coral growths. Some hide gaps and holes to shelter juvenile fish. In certain cases, the sculptures are covered or revealed by the sea bed or appear above the surface of the water according to the tides.

This piece is called ‘Man on Fire’. It was cast from the body of a local Mexican fisherman and has been drilled with lines of holes. A piece of Flame coral was then grafted into each hole with the hope that they will increase in size and engulf the statue.