An American artist recycles trash into whale art

Cindy Pease Roe in Beijing meets with students at the BN Vocational School, a charity school for the children of rural migrant workers, and shares her stories about the ocean and whales. [Photo by Yan Dongjie/chinadaily.com.cn]

In her 30 years of sailing and living on the coasts of North America and Europe, American artist Cindy Pease Roe has witnessed the ocean change.

In the first 20 years, the small, beautiful boatyards and whaling harbors were the most impressive elements in Roe's memory.

"I see these boatyards go away every day, and I want to capture them when I can before they go," said Roe, explaining how her life with ocean-and-coast art started.

In the past 10 years, Roe noted all the plastic, rope and other waste washing up on the beach, threatening the sea and the marine life in it.

So Roe started using the waste she found on the shore to create art that respects the beach and the sea. Whales became a favorite subject.

"Whales represent a big idea and a big change. They are the largest animals in the world, and we don't really understand them," Roe said, adding that her art is a way to reduce pollution and at the same time call people's attention to life in the sea.

"Whether you are 3 years old or 100, looking at these works, it's interesting," Roe said.

Roe said that when people see her work, the first thing they say is "Oh this is fun!" and as they get closer and see what they (the artworks) are made of, they can appreciate marine life and better understand how trash impacts these animals.

Cindy Pease Roe is traveling in China, bringing her works and ideas to protect the ocean and marine life. She met with students at the BN Vocational School, a charity school for the children of rural migrant workers, and shared her stories about the ocean and whales.

Roe made three monkeys for her trip to China with ropes she found on the beach because she knows it's the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese lunar calendar.

After a speech, Roe starts to create whales on site at the school, and she looks for useful materials in a rubbish heap.

Roe brought the special glues and tools she needs for making a waste whale, and the students get the chance to try making their own with their own hands.

As the glue can be really hot when melting, Roe is busy walking around the student groups, making sure that they are correctly and safely using the tools.

Although Roe and the students have no way to talk as neither side speaks the other's language, they don't have a barrier communicating with art. Roe says that she very much enjoys spending time with Chinese youth.