Clarissa Tejaya

Perth Modern School

Year 9

Soft Pastels on Black Paper

50cm × 70cm

My artwork, Where the Coral Breathes, depicts a kaleidoscopic view of the world below the surface. A turtle rests amongst an abundance of corals, bathed in shafts of sunlight that filter through the water. I was inspired to create this piece after being drawn to the vivid colours and delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems. Using pastel, I layered bold tones with soft transitions to capture the texture of the reef and the movement of light beneath the ocean. Through this work, I wanted to communicate the beauty of marine life and the fragility of its environment.