My working process is reminiscent of my experiences growing up in several different countries, of being disconnected from the place I was born. Then, I began searching for a new community where I truly belong. I find discarded objects from peoples’ houses and give them a second life, a new home.
 For my sculptures I use plastic utensils, toys and metal pieces among other things. I only select objects that have been used and discarded. The human history behind these objects gives them life in my eyes. My goal is for each object to transcend its origins by being integrated into an animal form that seems alive. This process of reclamation and regeneration is liberating to me as an artist.
 By building these sculptures I try to understand the human relationships that surround me. It is a way for me to contemplate and remind myself that even if there is conflict right now, there is a way for all the pieces to fit together. That even if some people don’t feel at home here and now, there is a place where they belong and that they will eventually find it.

— Sayaka Kajita Ganz

Australian artist and painter, Dailan Pugh, knows the underwater realm. He captures its vivid colors and dynamic diversity of life on canvas like no one else.

Sea glass has become very popular as a component in jewelry, chimes, sun catchers and ornaments. Tumbled by the ocean waves, sea glass comes from tossed bottles and jars that have found their way to the sea. The sand and surf softens the edges of the broken glass as it tumbles in the waves creating smooth, frosty pieces of sea glass, or beach glass.

“In the fall of 1997, I travelled a thousand miles down the Amazon River on assignment for Natural History Magazine with my buddy and co-conspirator Brad Matsen. Dr Kirk Johnson of the Denver Museum of Natural History arranged the river trip and filled the boat with several of his pals. I was so inspired by the incredible diversity of fishes and the experience that I wanted to do the main magazine illustration mural-sized. I stretched up a piece of canvas 7 feet by 15 feet and started painting.”

Originally from Argentina, artist and scuba diver Ana Bikic believes that art should play an active roll in environmental education and awareness.

These days anything we can do to help the environment and recycle is a good idea. American artist Frank Russell of North Carolina takes recycling to another level, transforming it into an art form with his fantastic sculptures of underwater creatures created with found objects and scap metal.

Do water and paper mix? Yes, they do in the Marcelost World created by the Japanese Brazilian artist, Marcelo Tatsuyoshi Kato, who makes magic in paper sculptures and papercuts with themes related to the underwater world.

Underwater fashion photographer, Caelum Mero of Australia, has developed a unique personal style that is fun, fabulous and poetic. He invites us into an underwater realm of mystery, magic and grace. X-RAY MAG’ s Gunild Symes caught up with him to find out the story behind his inspiration.