TEMPO.CO, Denpasar - A ceramic installation built by a U.S. artist Courtney Mattison in collaboration with Indonesian artists is exhibited at the Center for Marine Conservation in Sanur, Denpasar-Bali.

The art installation, called the Coral Universe (Semesta Terumbu Karang), illustrates the beauty and vulnerability of coral reefs. “It also shows the threats of climate change and human-caused activities,” said Mattison.

The artwork with the size of 18x2.5 meters consists of 2,000 pieces of ceramics. The ceramic art is a dedication to the coral triangle area, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.

According to Mattison, the Coral Universe is a new experiment since it involved many artists. “I work with people who learn to make ceramics. I am glad that they are involved in producing this work,” he said.

The United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan also attended the event. "It requires the global community to work together to protect coral reefs,” he said Tuesday, October 30.

The ceramic installation was designed by Courtney Mattison, in collaboration with Indonesian artists, namely Ricko Gabriel, Alfiah Rahdini, Sasanti Puri Ardini, and Agung Ivan WB, involving 300 volunteers and members of the art community in Bali.

BRAM SETIAWAN