The Biosphere Boundaries

UNDERCURRENTS

Undercurrents portrays the hidden, unseen forces that bind our natural world. It draws primary inspiration from Johan Rockström's concept of Earth's four biosphere boundaries—biomes, biodiversity, freshwater, and nutrients—each of which functions interdependently for the well-being of all life. Through art, we aim to reveal this intricate lattice of connectivity, these "undercurrents," by employing characteristics that resonate universally across all life: veins, color, habitats, and the fundamental need for water to sustain existence.

BIOMES

This painting expresses the interconnectedness of Earth's biomes and their underlying forces. Just as Undercurrents explores the hidden, unseen connections between natural systems, this painting brings together five prominent biomes—polar, forest, grassland, and aquatic environments—into a unified composition.

Landscape painting with river, colorful fish, mountains, and grazing animals

A towering snowy mountain peak represents the polar biome, while the graceful salmon swimming in the river symbolize the delicate balance and interconnectedness of freshwater ecosystems. The flowing river itself acts as a visual thread, linking the various biomes, just as Undercurrents aims to uncover the invisible “undercurrents” that weave life together.

Painting of salmon swimming underwater with rocks and reflections, and two deer on a rocky shore in the background.

Mountain landscape painting featuring a snow-capped peak, grazing yaks on green pastures, and trees, under a blue sky with clouds.

Painting of a mountainous landscape with a river

The use of natural elements like water, vegetation, and animals reflects the universal forces that sustain life. The blending of these elements in the artwork mirrors the project's intention to reveal how the biomes—biomes, biodiversity, freshwater, and nutrients—are not isolated but rather work in harmony to maintain ecological balance. The piece serves as a visual representation of the idea that the boundaries between different ecosystems are not rigid, but fluid and interconnected, much like the underlying "undercurrents" that connect all living things.

FRESHWATER

This painting aligns with the Undercurrents project by visually exploring the hidden yet interconnected forces of nature. The waterfall, as a central element, embodies the freshwater boundary—one of Johan Rockström’s four planetary boundaries—emphasizing the vital role of water in sustaining life.

Painting of a majestic waterfall with a woolly mammoth and wolves on rocky terrain.

The shadowy cave, partially obscured by mist and light, symbolizes the unseen or overlooked layers of existence, mirroring Undercurrents’ aim to reveal the deeper, less visible aspects of nature’s connectivity.

The presence of wildlife, specifically the elephant and the wolf with its cub, reflects the biodiversity boundary, highlighting how different species coexist within shared ecosystems. The elephant playfully interacting with water represents nature’s resilience and harmony, while the wolf’s protective stance alludes to the instinctive, nurturing aspects of life. This contrast between movement and stillness, playfulness and guardianship, aligns with Undercurrents’ exploration of how natural forces shape and influence one another.

Painting of a large cascading waterfall with an elephant standing on the right and two wolves on the left.

Painting of an elephant and wolves at a waterfall.

Framed painting of a waterfall scene with a mammoth and wolves.

Moreover, the cave’s darkness juxtaposed with cascading light and mist serves as a metaphor for the hidden forces at play in nature—forces that Undercurrents seeks to uncover through art. As part of this project, the painting does not focus solely on the visible surface of the world but instead delves into the relationships and energies that sustain it. Through its interplay of elements, this artwork becomes a direct visual extension of Undercurrents’ mission: to use art as a means of unveiling and celebrating the interconnected, often unnoticed rhythms of life on Earth.

NUTRIENTS

The Nutrients painting explores the theme of interconnectivity in nature, emphasizing the inclusivity of diverse ecosystems and life forms. A silk cotton tree, revered for its cultural and ecological significance, stands as a powerful symbol of unity, growth, and ancestral wisdom. Its branches, bearing fruits from around the world, illustrate the seamless exchange of nutrients across ecosystems, reinforcing Undercurrents’ investigation into the hidden forces that connect life.

Colorful illustration of a large tree with various animals and fruits; includes a monkey, sloth, and jaguar on the branches, and fruits like bananas, pineapples, and grapes among the roots.

By depicting fruits from all around the world growing harmoniously on a single tree, the painting visualizes a world without boundaries—where biodiversity and ecosystems merge in a seamless, interwoven existence.

The presence of diverse animals—such as the tiger, monkey, and python—further reinforces the theme of biodiversity, showcasing the delicate balance between species that inhabit a shared environment. Their relaxed, harmonious presence within the tree’s branches suggests a world where nature thrives when left undisturbed, mirroring the way our ancestors coexisted with their surroundings—a concept this project seeks to honour through art.

Painting of a large, detailed tree with thick roots and branches, featuring various animals like a monkey, an owl, and a leopard sitting among the foliage. The tree is shown with intricate bark and leaves against a blue sky background.

Painting of a gibbon hanging from a tree branch and a squirrel on a branch nearby, with a background of leaves and sky.

Colorful painting of a large tree with animals and fruit on display against a white brick wall.

Additionally, the roots cradling an abundance of fruit serve as a metaphor for nature’s generosity and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of preserving ecosystems to ensure continued abundance. This resonates with an aim to reawaken appreciation for the natural world, encouraging a shift from exploitation to stewardship.

Ultimately, this painting is a vivid representation of Undercurrents’ mission: to use art as a medium to unveil the hidden yet vital forces that sustain life. By presenting a tree that transcends geographical and ecological limits, the artwork challenges the viewer to rethink the way we perceive connectivity, unity, and our role in nurturing the planet.

BIODIVERSITY

This surreal painting perfectly embodies the core themes of the Undercurrents project by dissolving the boundaries between land and sea, reality and imagination. By placing a grizzly bear on the seabed, the artwork challenges conventional ecosystems, highlighting the hidden interconnections within Earth’s Biosphere.

Surreal artwork featuring a bear underwater with jellyfish and penguins, sitting on volcanic rocks.

The juxtaposition of a terrestrial mammal with marine life suggests that nature's forces operate beyond the visible, reinforcing the project's goal of uncovering the unseen forces that shape our world.

The bear’s interaction with molten lava symbolizes the Earth's geological and elemental forces, which often remain unnoticed beneath the surface yet play a crucial role in shaping life. This aligns with Undercurrents’ exploration of how seemingly separate systems—such as the deep ocean and volcanic activity—are intrinsically linked, those subconscious currents beneath human awareness.

Abstract painting with bold, colorful brush strokes and a palette on the side.

Painting featuring a bear with a jellyfish above it, surrounded by butterflies and underwater scenery; palette with various paint colors on the side.

Surreal painting of a bear underwater surrounded by jellyfish and marine life, with lava flows in the background.

Above, the glowing jellyfish casts an ethereal, translucent light, transforming the seascape into a dreamlike realm. The blue tangs and diving penguins, usually confined to different regions, coexist in this surreal setting, reinforcing the idea that biodiversity transcends borders in ways we may not immediately recognize. This reflects Undercurrents’ artistic methodology—using surreal compositions to illustrate the interconnected, often overlooked relationships in nature.

Ultimately, this painting acts as a visual metaphor for the hidden forces of life, much like the project itself. It invites the viewer to reconsider their perception of ecosystems, urging them to look beyond surface-level divisions and appreciate the deep, often mystical connections that sustain our planet.

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