My inspiration: The abalone

My chosen object is an abalone shell that I found while snorkeling in the Adriatic Sea. It is very special to me because it reminds me of my family, who live in Croatia. The local nickname for it is “Peter’s ear,” a reference to Peter Pan. This nickname came about because of the shell’s appearance. It has an asymmetrical, spiraling shape with an oval silhouette. Both the exterior and interior of the shell are finely wrinkled, with ripples running along the twisting “grain.” The shell’s exterior is coarse, reddish-brown, and spotted with textured algae growths. The interior, however, is coated with iridescent mother-of-pearl. This interior is extremely smooth to the touch. The shell still has a faint, salty smell that is reminiscent of the sea that it came from. Although abalone shells can vary greatly in size, those found in the shallower parts of the Adriatic Sea are comparable to the size of a human ear. In addition to the shell’s whimsical appearance and ear-like shape, its rarity also contributes to its association with Peter Pan. Abalone shells, like four-leaf clovers, are somewhat difficult to find. As such, they are locally considered good-luck charms. In fact, finding an abalone shell is a bit more common than catching a glimpse of Peter Pan.

Another reason why I like this shell is because it sparks my creativity. I love inspecting the little rainbows reflected on its inner surface. Depending on the light, the rainbows’ colors shift between blues, greens, purples, and oranges. Due to the miniature folds and channels on the shell’s interior, it looks like a map full of colorful rivers or veins. The outer surface of the shell is just as interesting because it has a variety of algae growths. A few of them are star-shaped and mint-green, while others are stringy and dark orange. They make me think of a lush forest. This contrast between the shell’s small size and the vastness of what it reminds me of is very intriguing to me. I like to imagine that there are tiny worlds hidden on the shell’s two surfaces.

My drawings

Trash mock-ups

“Abysmal”

Side-by-side