Thirza Schaap Captures Beach Debris In ‘Plastic Ocean’

Schaap’s memories of collecting “beautiful shells, shimmering stones, feathers and funnily shaped branches” as a child had evolved into finding remnants of waste–a stark reminder of the human impact “Our beaches are covered in plastic confetti”on the environment. The project ‘Plastic Ocean’ developed into a means of documenting and raising awareness of this tragedy, with Schaap assembling and photographing striking sculptures that deceive a viewer’s initial glance. Otherworldly forms and layers of abstract pastel shapes reveal themselves as bottle caps, shoe soles, and plastic toys. Through ‘Plastic Ocean’, Schaap visually communicates the idea that “our beaches are covered in plastic confetti and there really is nothing to celebrate.”