Rather than a straightforward metamorphosis process, I decided that I wanted to make all the cards connect and have a smooth flow from one card to the other. The purpose of making it this way was so that I could document the whole process of whaling, and I found that this was more impactful in terms of the emotional impact it leaves on those who are viewing it. I wanted there to be a gradual change in the tone and mood from the first few cards as being very peaceful and harmonious to all the tragedy that happens towards the end.
Though I tried digitally drawing, I found that watercolour was still the best medium because I loved how I could control the opacity and transparency of the paint. Moreover, it also adds a very delicate and graceful effect which worked well for my topic.
To set the scene of my theme, the first few cards show whales swimming harmoniously together, where a monochromatic colour scheme was used to further create a sense of calmness. The mood and tone of my cards had a big turn on the fifth card where a whale was being captured by a whaling ship. The introduction of the bold colour red evoked tension within the piece and it was also very alarming. The choice of using the colour red was not only to symbolise danger but it was also a link to Japan.
The next imagery then shows a whale swimming towards a red dot, as though it is being captured by it. Again, this was to symbolise Japan’s involvement with whaling and their refusal to abide a 1986 moratorium set by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), an ‘oath’ different nations take to stop commercial whaling.
I chose to focus mostly on Japan’s infamous whaling habits mainly because there have been many who protest against it even their citizens. They claim that the small whaling fleet they sent out into the Antarctic Ocean to kill 333 minke whales were for a ‘scientific program’. Hence, on my fifth card, I have the words, ‘fake research’ written on the ship. To further emphasise my views and the views of many who are against it, I included protest signs in the seventh card.
After demonstrating the whole process of whales are caught and then killed, the last metamorphosis stage was to transform it into actual meat that people eat and serve at restaurants. The fancy plate of whale meat on the eleventh card was meant to show how a majestic creature from the sea is sold to become nothing but a food experience.
I chose to do very detailed illustrations of the whales and the whole process of whaling because I found that a realistic style gives more depth to these creatures and it definitely earns more sympathy because of that. The realism in these illustrations is confronting and could even be described as brutal, which was also what I hope to achieve because I want to impact those who are viewing it and create conversation through my imagery. Overall, I enjoyed making these cards because I found myself becoming more and more passionate about the topic after doing in depth research on it.
