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Blue Sponge and Tunicates (square)			Blenny in a Hole (square)
Ornate Ghost Pipefish (square)		Striped Feather Duster		Fireworks Soft Coral (square)
Pink Whip Coral and Damselfish		Blue Sponge and Tunicates		White and Magenta Soft Corals
Like A Rose		Ornate Ghost Pipefish in Crinoids		Fireworks Soft Coral
Clown Triggerfish Scene		Ivory Soft Corals		Blenny in a Hole
Crinoid on Staghorn Coral		Two Skunk Anemonefish		Striped Crinoid
Cuttlefish in a Feather Duster		Red Stemmed Fans		Magenta and Yellow Soft Corals
Pipefish Carrying Eggs		Orangutan Crab		Clownfish Guarding Eggs
Damsels in a Sponge		Giant Frogfish in a Sponge		Scorpionfish in a Sponge
Reef Shark over Hard Coral		Jellyfish Close		Manta Leaving
Blue Sea Cucumber		School of Striped Catfish		Green Nudibranch and Tunicates
White Spotted Pufferfish		Sweetlips		Two-Eyed Coralfish

THE UNDERWATER SCULPTURES OF JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

These carved cement sculptures of Jason deCaires Taylor are located near Isla Mujeres, Mexico not far from Cancun. Not only are they an artistic venture, but also function as an artificial reef. Weighing one to two tons each, they are placed in such a way that they should withstand a category 4 hurricane. The concrete is porous to enable corals to attach and grow on the sculptures. In a few years they should be totally covered with corals, sponges, etc.

With an English father and Guyanese mother Taylor was raised in Europe and Asia. His early interest in the underwater world was in Malaysia. At a young age he had a fascination with art in public places, beginning as a graffiti artist. Later he had formal training in art, graduating in 1998 from the London Institute of Arts, with a B.A. Honours in Sculpture and Ceramics.

There are three areas near Cancun and Isla Mujeres where one can find these marvelous sculptures of indigenous figures. I have only visited one, but hope to see them all some day. There is another installation in Grenada, West Indies.

For more information go to www.underwatersculpture.com

Young Girl		Man On Fire		Little Boy Seated
Woman Praying		Sad Sweeper		Pregnant Woman
Wise Old Man		Woman with Arms Crossed		Man Thinking
Group of Statues