Rachel Afi Quinn

Gulf coast flooding, represented here in the abstract, seems perverse with the ways that water continues to dry up, while industry remains focused on making this essential element into into a good to be sold.

The exercise had me reflecting on the trauma that my community has been through because of water, and how the experiences stay with us, a dark spot in the history of a place we love. I know to expect more flooding, but it is difficult to know when it will hit and which areas of our community will be most impacted the next time. I chose to make the waters here grey and swirling, with blue and purple to convey the changing skies before the storm. I also photographed the collage with backlighting, which darkened the other images in the foreground. I appreciated the time this gave me to consider the feelings I have about water, and try to convey them here. It is very much a “water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink” kind of feeling.