The sea, in returning what we discard, exposes a tragic cycle. These objects, reshaped and scarred by time, bear the marks of neglect and an eerie, unexpected beauty.
The less recognisable these fragments are, the more compelling they become. They urge us to investigate, transforming us into detectives searching for details and reconciling their current state with their original form. Once objects of convenience, they are castaways—altered and indigestible relics.
With its stark and forensic style, black-and-white photography felt the most honest way to capture this duality. Stripped of colour, the textures and imperfections of these fragments—broken and transformed—tell their powerful story.
This series doesn’t aim to assign blame but invites reflection. These objects, returned by the sea, have become symbols of shared responsibility. Through these images, I hope to reveal the art and gravity of what the sea has sent back to us.
The objects in this series were found along the Italian coastline after winter storms, but their presence should not suggest that “clean” beaches are safe. The problem is global, from microplastics to the massive garbage patches in the Pacific. In nature, the adage “what the eye doesn’t see, the heart doesn’t grieve over” proves false. The unseen harm of plastic pollution is as damaging as the visible. This series reflects on identity, belonging, and our shared responsibility to the environment.