Painted by Cape Town artist Joh Del, the mural illuminates the hidden world of phytoplankton, the tiny, drifting organisms that anchor marine food webs and help regulate Earth’s climate. Though invisible to the eye, these single-celled plants produce roughly half of the planet’s oxygen and remove vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As the base of marine ecosystems, they support everything from fish to marine mammals, and ultimately human food security. The mural brings their unseen beauty and vital role to life through vibrant colour and flowing forms.

Alongside it, the image exhibition invites viewers to explore the remote and often inaccessible Southern Ocean and Antarctic regions that are central to global climate regulation yet far removed from daily experience. Through a blend of field photography, satellite imagery, microscopic views and creative data visualisations, the exhibit connects scientific research with lived understanding and underscores the importance of South Africa’s long-standing investment in polar science.

The project was conceived by Dr Sandy Thomalla, Research Group Leader of the Southern Ocean Carbon–Climate Observatory (SOCCO) at the CSIR, and realised in partnership with Ria Olivier of the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (Stellenbosch University) and Shani Judes of SJ Artists. It was made possible through funding support from the National Research Foundation.

Both installations will remain on the Sea Point Promenade for at least two years, creating an open-air encounter with the Southern Ocean for one of Cape Town’s most visited public spaces. With more than a million visitors each year and free, year-round access, the promenade offers a rare opportunity for people from all walks of life to experience and engage with South Africa’s polar science.

More information can be found at this link: https://www.sanap.ac.za/sanap-science-art