Naomi Hart and her art work
Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR) recently hosted a special art exhibition featuring the captivating work of visiting artist Naomi Hart, whose fieldwork drawings form part of the Convex Sea Survey project — an international collaboration that merges science, art, and environmental storytelling.
Naomi Hart is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores the intersection between art, science, and ecology.
Drawing inspiration directly from the field, her pieces are created “in the moment of action,” often while environmental processes are unfolding.
Through sketches, mixed media, and vibrant textures, she captures the energy of the natural world and the delicate relationship between people and the environment.
Naomi shared that her drawings are not simply observations but responses to lived experiences during scientific fieldwork.
The Convex Sea Survey, under which her work is showcased, is a partnership between Blue Marine Foundation, the University of Exeter, and Convex Group.
This pioneering collaboration of world-leading scientists are working to quantify and understand blue carbon stored in the coastal ocean floor and will deliver new, reliable, open-source data, which will educate, inspire and enable informed decisions on ocean use, to harness the power of the sea in the fight against climate change.
Naomi’s contribution to the project highlights how art can translate complex scientific data into emotional, accessible narratives that resonate with broader audiences.
Naomi’s colleague and PhD student Sabrina Sykes engaging with the students
Director for the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research Dr Denise Schael with Naomi Hart
The exhibition offered a rare opportunity to experience science through an artistic lens.
Students, academics, and visitors engaged with Naomi, asking questions about her creative process and the collaboration between scientists and artists in the field.
The exhibition remained open throughout the day, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the intricate details and layered meanings of her drawings.
Naomi’s work serves as a powerful reminder that creativity and science are deeply connected — both driven by curiosity, observation, and a desire to understand the world around us.
Through her art, she bridges these disciplines, showing that storytelling through visuals can inspire greater appreciation for the natural environment and the urgent need to protect it.
