Thomas Jackson

Statement

In my art piece, I plunged into the intricate world of tessellations. I was inspired by my deep-rooted love of the ocean and its inhabitants. My work is a representation of the beauty and diversity found in both mathematics and the sea. Through much deliberation, I crafted a kaleidoscope of interlocking sea animals, creating a harmonious whole. My composition of sea creatures is illuminated with bright colors and adorable facial expressions. Creating this piece has been a labor of love, and I have found the same tranquility in it as I have when standing before the sea itself. I hope my work evokes this same sense of calm and serves as a reminder of the harmony that exists beneath the waves and encourages a deeper respect for our oceans.

Artworks

I began doing research on tessellations this summer alongside a professor of mine. I was curious about how new tessellations were found, and I thought the best way to investigate this topic was to create some myself. The first tessellating shape I created was a hammerhead shark - they are my favorite animal. I wondered then, could I make more sea animals to tessellate alongside the shark? I then experimented with rotations, and I was able to construct many other sea creatures to make a family of tessellating shapes. I find my artwork to be unique because of its subject matter and the many different pieces that fit together, much like a puzzle.