Artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s work wouldn’t look out of place in a gallery, but that would defeat the purpose. Taylor mounts his exhibitions underwater, leaving his sculptures on the ocean floor to be colonized by algae, seaweed, and coral.

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free. All donations DOUBLED!

Taylor says that his work is “constructed to be assimilated by the ocean … portraying human intervention as both positive and life-encouraging.” It also probably creeps the bejesus out of unprepared divers.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

It’s not just that Taylor leaves his art hanging around near coral reefs. Some of the sculptures are actually optimized with undersea wildlife in mind. This one’s got holes intended to offer shelter for fish and lobsters.

And here’s the result.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.