ArtistArtist

Renketsu-sei / Plastic Sea

Ethan Estess(USA)


I first came to Sado Island in 2016 as a marine biologist studying bluefin tunas in partnership with local fishermen and the Japanese government. Wild experiences on the fishing boats off the Washizaki coast and quiet days spent beachcombing north of Ryotsu left me with a deep appreciation for the island’s hardworking people and natural beauty. Sado Island is not immune to the international issue of ocean plastic pollution, and many of my early artworks were inspired by plastic objects collected off its beaches.  My intention with “Renketsu-sei/Plastic Sea” is to highlight how plastic can entangle ocean animals and to encourage a systemic shift in humanity’s reliance on single-use plastics. I believe islands like Sado are microcosms that can become sources of innovation to solve broader societal challenges. 

Ethan Estess

Ethan Estess (b. 1989) is an artist and marine scientist who communicates about the challenges facing the ocean through sculpture and printmaking. He travelled extensively during his career as a marine biologist and now draws on these experiences to inspire his creative works. He holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in environmental science from Stanford University where he studied oceanography, mechanical engineering, and studio art. Estess has participated in several art residencies, including the Recology program at the San Francisco landfill where he constructed a life-size whale tail sculpture from reclaimed rope that was later displayed for millions of viewers at the San Francisco international airport. His artworks are currently exhibited in North America, Europe, and Japan, and he has created installations for the Bishop and J. Paul Getty Museums. In recent years, Estess has collaborated with several nonprofit groups to build multiple monumental wave sculptures from ocean trash that have reached millions of viewers with a message of ocean stewardship.
http://www.ethanestess.com/

Art Details

  • Art Number:
    7
  • Year of Production:
    2025
  • Exhibition Period:
    2025.09.19(fri)-11.09(sun),2026.01.23(fri)-03.08(sun)
  • Admission Fee:
    Galaxy Value Pass (¥2,000) or admission fee (adults ¥300 / elementary and junior high school students ¥100)

Venue & Access

  • Location:
    Ryotsu Local Museum
  • Opening Hours:
    8:30〜17:00 (Entry until 4:30 p.m.)
  • Closed:
    No closing days
  • Parking:
    Parking available