Nestled in the pristine northern waters of Grenada, the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have long been celebrated for their natural beauty and vibrant culture. Yet these islands have also become emblematic of the urgent realities of climate change – a truth devastatingly underscored in July 2024, when Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, left the islands reeling from its destructive force.
The underwater museum A World Adrift was initiated in 2023 to highlight the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to rising sea levels, warming oceans, coastal erosion and the mounting threat of extreme weather events. Tragically, the installation has now become a living testament to these themes, as the effects of climate change unfolded in real time, midway through the project.
A World Adrift showcases an evocative fleet of 30 boat sculptures, each navigated by a local schoolchild, symbolising the uncertain waters of the future. These young figures, depicted as climate refugees, are not only poignant reminders of the generational stakes of climate change but also embody resilience, hope, and defiance.
The boats, crafted from marine-grade stainless steel and pH-neutral green cement, are styled as delicate origami vessels, capturing the fragility of island ecosystems. Designed to function as artificial reefs, these sculptures offer sanctuary for marine life and are symbolic arks in an era of ecological urgency. Sails bear global temperature data, while rigging doubles as coral and sponge nurseries to aid species recovery following storm-induced destruction.
At 4m deep it is accessible to snorkellers and divers and is a short boat trip from the coastline of Hillsborough in Carriacou.
The project was commissioned by the Grenadian Tourism Authority.
