A mosaic of 135 artworks celebrates #iconicfishes
Building on the success of the Inspired by #IconicFishes mural in Bohol, Philippines, artist and environmental educator Mayali Geyling created a new way for people around the world to take part in the movement: a collaborative digital mosaic.
Mayali designed a mosaic template made up of 135 unique digital squares, each one forming part of a larger image celebrating iconic fishes and ocean life. Project Seahorse’s Philippines Seahorse Programme and Mayali then invited people of all ages, from around the world, to paint, draw, or illustrate each tile in their own style.
Once completed, the individual squares came together to form one unified artwork. “Each square may be small individually, but together they create a powerful collective expression of care for our oceans,” said Mayali.
The mosaic captures the spirit of Inspired by #IconicFishes, our global arts movement that invites people everywhere to celebrate seahorses, pipefishes, seadragons, and their relatives through art. It also shows how conservation conversations can grow through simple, joyful acts of participation.
We are grateful to Mayali for designing and leading this initiative, to our colleagues in the Philippines Seahorse Programme for supporting it, and to everyone who contributed a tile. Initiatives like this show that conservation can start with something as simple as an idea and a community coming together to promote it.
We hope this story inspires others to create their own events, start conversations in their communities, or take part in our Inspired By #IconicFishes movement in their own unique way. To get started, visit www.iconicfishes.art/participate
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This mosaic was pieced together with contributions from:
Panel 1: Chloe Lin, Shiela Alvarado, Jayson, Harrel Jay Gerongay, @_donnadiaries, @cgconnelly, Tine, Mary Aubrey Trompeta, @markkkitect, @omi_shy, Nicole Chen, Karen Xue, @_mx_jl_, Duncan Chan, James Mills, Johnelley Mar Urbano, Estrella Otarra, Johneil Lee Urbano, Margue Lee Cabatuan, @pi_crumbs, Zarin Condes, Jesh Alfrea Lee Jakosalem, Jude, @flo.gutu, Meesha, @vnssmscn0, Logan O'Connell, @dayanodri, Haolin Huang, @juli_cobos_yc, Ryan, Jordan Chen, Reema, @curlottee, @draw.reu, @ash.adventurres, @sgrgnbelle, Josh Alfred Lee Urbani, @rattinky.noctua, @fabumaezing_meh, @johnmark_lofranco, Zekai Wang, @jordynberger, Chloe Lin, Jayden Choi
Panel 2: @jessica.h.c, John Louie Urbano, @lourenciana_, @shuean27, Marivic Paden, Kristine, Curt Apale, Janvic Ilee Baldezamo, Mariateresa Albanez, Leobula Urbano, @mcleevt, Alyka Legaspi, @ceemaeu, Hunter Pierce, @marynolls, @avant.g.r.i.m.m, Savannah Zhao, @simon_mirrar, Longkai Xu, @binibing_estrella, Kaedan Douglas, @username_isnotavail.able, @instanellas, Fanyue Jin, Jardy, Andrea Geyling, Mina Nguyen, LC May Gasit, Jia Hao Chen, @hannah4jah, Irene Gao, Fheji Ann Remulta, Emme Garufi, @khexial, Sarah Mills, @adrianalvinson, @martinejane, @frvryang.sh, Yanks, Bendita Monte, @janetkitchen70, @a.jampool, Neria Botero, Lovely Proneo
Panel 3: Leanna Peter, Rejiville Beduya, @seachailatte, @loveeee_chaii, Joey Jean Bari, @shuan_mirrar, @mela_nie1112, Blezela Grace Laurel, @mochiiii_luvv, @made.by.aqsa, Brady Ngo, @ccchichi_lovestopaint, @mariajunee_30, @finz.ers, Alejandra Ojonna, Kathleen Panuncialman, Cynthia Toremocha, @hey_itsellenaaa, Geno Silverman, @achieega, @jnnyl_yngn, Lharavel Alison, Rico Vencent Montac, Joaquin Hernandez, @myrtle_reef, Erin Zou, Alfredo, Ruoyi Liu, @nicolealexia___art, @its_me_reg03, David Lee, @lerillustrates, Justine, Nghia Tran, Ryan Zhao, @mayali.studio, @darylyasesocobos, @hylustrous, @jomxkiee, Mia Socobos, @lotskiedoo, Cherry Mae Montac, @judejiitsu, Bersarie Garcia, @a.lavue