Ringling students make fine point with ‘Microplastics’ exhibition

Tess Lockey created and planned a student exhibition called “Microplastics” at the Ringling College of Art, but she’s too humble to call herself an environmentalist, much less an environmental artist.

“I’m starting to be an environmental person,” says the 21-year-old senior from the Philippines. “I’m aware that I’m not aware. This show is something I’m just starting to do.”

The “Microplastics” exhibition, which will be on display Tuesday through Dec. 14 in the Willis Smith Gallery, features illustrations, photographs and digital art from more than 20 Ringling students.

Lockey’s favorite pieces are those that take a lighthearted approach to the serious problem of tiny pieces of plastic entering food and water supplies.

For example, Colin Coviello did a digital illustration with a cartoon-like whale carrying a turtle from harm.

“When people discuss this issue, it makes you feel helpless, but this one makes you laugh or chuckle,” Lockey says. “It gives you a different reaction than, ‘Oh, no’ and ‘This is all bad.’”

A photography student named Kat Macmillan created a close-up image of what looks like a woman in a cosmetics ad. But her mascara brush is covered in tiny particles and the headline reads “What’s In Your Products?”

Jamie Green, another Ringling illustrator, created a picture called “Surrounded.” She shaped a little clay figure, set him on an island and then took a photograph of the scene.

“It was a struggle at first, because it’s such a dark subject,” she says. “My art tends to be carefree and fun. I knew I wanted to be hands-on and do actual plastic in the piece.”

Green, a 20-year-old junior from Melbourne, studied aquatic science in high school. She loved the idea of turning marine preservation into art.

“What Tess has done is pretty unique,” she says. “Especially for a student gallery.”

The Island of Ringling

Lockey went to high school in Hong Kong before moving to Sarasota for college. At Ringling, she has lived on campus for four years. Art is her life and the school is her home.

Her vehicle is a hand-me-down Ringling bike.

“When I was a freshman, this senior was selling it,” she says. “It’s got a basket, so I can use it to go shopping.”

Lockey tries to buy clothes and products made from natural fibers and plants. She wants to be more mindful of things made from plastics.

In the Ringling library, for example, she wards off the air-conditioning with a purple sweater.

“This is alpaca,” she says. “I pay much more attention to the things I buy and wear.”

Sometimes Lockey and her friends will go to the beach, but their lives revolve around the art school campus. There are special exceptions for things like natural disasters.

“For Hurricane Irma, we went to North Carolina,” she says. “My boyfriend had a car and we headed north. That was a road trip.”

Inspiring class

“Microplastics” was inspired by a guest lecture in Lockey’s Ecology of Water class at Ringling College.

Dr. Abbey Tyrna, a Sarasota water resource agent for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida, explained to the class how microplastics have become a grave environmental concern, especially in marine ecosystems. Particles of plastic less than 5 millimeters long enter the environment through everything from clothing and cosmetics to packaging and household objects.

Lockey thought a “Microplastics” project could combine visual arts with environmental science. She brought the idea to Mark Ormond, curator for Ringling College Galleries. In the spring, she called a meeting, drew up fliers and recruited student artists.

All of this was new to her. She learned as she went along.

“I realized that I’d maybe given people too much time,” she says. “They needed a better deadline.”

Lockey chose not to include one of her own illustrations in the exhibition. It didn’t feel right. She thought it was better to get other people involved.

“I did make some of the projects for the class that might be included,” she says. “And I consider the show my piece, in a way.”

‘Microplastics’

Ringling College of Art students will try to raise environmental awareness with a “Microplastics” exhibition Tuesday through Dec. 14. The Willis Smith Gallery is in the Thompson Academic Center, New College, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 941-359-7563; galleries@ringling.edu