Salmon

Thirza Schaap Captures Beach Debris In ‘Plastic Ocean’

Scroll
Words

When photographer Thirza Schaap moved to South Africa, she discovered that the objects scattered on the beaches weren’t natural treasures, but plastic and man-made debris.

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 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.”

Teeth
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_9
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_6
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_5
Salmon
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_1
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_7
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_10
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_11
Dune
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_4
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_2
iGNANT_Photography_Thirza_Schaap_Plastic_Ocean_8

All images © Thirza Schaap

Subscribe To Our Newsletter
SIGN UP