The standoff is a consequence of the increasing acidity and temperature of the oceans, even at the North Pole, caused by global warming of the ocean waters itself due to climate change.

The ice floe is formed by nuggets of natural quartz beads (a semi-precious stone) and surrounded by a single strand necklace designed for this sculpture. The design incorporates off-white natural quartz beads, bright white freshwater pearls and beads of Murano glass encasing silver foil. The floe is adrift atop blue velvet, the fabric sewn to mimic waves.

The inspiration for this work followed a beach walk on Assateague Island (a national seashore close to my studio), where the warming waters have already begun to affect local fishing and empty seashells regularly wash up on the shore. The title refers to the trend of spending vacations at home — a trend that increased significantly with the onset of the 2020 pandemic.

Additional materials include a found object (the whelk shell), a realistic model of a polar bear, velvet, wood, and paper.

Custom framed with museum glass in a sophisticated deep wooden frame in collaboration with Chevy Chase Art Gallery, Washington, DC.

Price: USD 2,800.

Frame color: Black

Size (in inches): 9.75 x 21.75 x 4