‘For the Future’ has evolved from my concern for the coral reefs and eco-systems of Australia and Thailand and the damage that is being done to them as a result of society’s greed and over consumption. I hope the viewer can find humor in the works, despite the seriousness of the subject matter.

The form of this current series is inspired by ceramic figurines of plump Chinese court ladies I saw in the Ming Tombs of Beijing. These figures reminded me of myself and other people around me, the way we continue to over-indulge and over-consume.

The smaller works represent a colony of coral. Coral is made up of millions of small living organisms called polyps, which live in groups called colonies. My coral colonies sit on dinner plates, ready to be served to another type of colonial creature: man!

I hope my work will increase public awareness of the importance and value of living coral reefs and eco-systems and perhaps highlight the issues.
Vipoo Srivilasa, 2008