Oils and acrylics, 50x76cm, wooden panel

This painting features a graceful manta ray, but its elegance is juxtaposed with harsh symbolism. The manta holds a bottle of Chinese medicine, labeled with an unsettling image of breasts, symbolizing the absurd claim that manta ray gills can aid in breastfeeding – a notion with no scientific support. Pills are spilling out, falling directly into the manta's open mouth, highlighting the invasive and harmful impact of these unfounded practices.

Surrounding the manta is a fruit protector, a fragile yet vital barrier representing the desperate need to shield this majestic creature from the rampant overfishing that continues to threaten its existence. While the demand for manta ray gills persists in some areas, especially for unproven medicinal uses, this practice needlessly endangers a species that plays a critical role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.

This artwork challenges viewers to reflect on the unnecessary suffering inflicted on manta rays and the broader implications of overfishing. The fruit protector, a fragile symbol of safety, echoes the urgent call for stricter protections to ensure that these gentle giants are not lost to such destructive, senseless exploitation.