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With 45 Tons and 5.5 Meters Wide, the Sculpture “Ocean Gaia” by British Artist Jason deCaires Taylor Was Installed at Five Meters Deep in Tokunoshima, Becoming Japan’s First Underwater Artwork
The British artist Jason deCaires Taylor inaugurated on October 14 his latest underwater work: Ocean Gaia. The sculpture was installed at five meters deep, on the island of Tokunoshima, in the Amami archipelago of Japan, and marks the country’s first submerged piece. Weighing 45 tons and measuring 5.5 meters wide, it depicts Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara in monumental scale.
A New Art Reef
The artwork was positioned close to the shore, integrating with the local fringing reef. In addition to the artistic aspect, Ocean Gaia was designed to serve as a shelter for marine life.
Its openings allow fish flow and coral growth, creating an artificial environment conducive to the ecosystem.
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The sculpture’s gentle curves evoke the sand circles created by the Japanese white-spotted pufferfish—a typical species of the region.
The shape also refers to the mountains of Tokunoshima, whose silhouette is associated with the figure of a sleeping pregnant woman, a traditional symbol of fertility and the cycle of life.
The Meaning Behind the Creation
According to the official statement, Ocean Gaia represents “a gesture of reconnection between people, the sea, and the continuity of life.”
The sculpture sees the ocean as a maternal force, capable of healing and regenerating. Inspired by the myth of Gaia—the primordial mother—the work reflects on the ocean as the origin and consciousness of the world.
Tokunoshima was chosen because it preserves an intimate relationship with the sea and has one of the highest birth rates in Japan, in addition to being known for the longevity of its inhabitants and the healthy lifestyle of the community.
Submerged Sculpture: An Invitation to Reverence for the Ocean
Taylor stated that the project’s goal is to bring young Japanese people closer to the marine environment, as many have left the islands in search of big cities.
“Ocean Gaia is an invitation to reverence and a reminder that the ocean is not separate from us, but an entity we are entirely dependent on,” said the artist.
Funded by the Tokunoshima Fishing Cooperative Association, the sculpture was made with neutral pH concrete and marine stainless steel, materials that promote the natural development of corals and strengthen the integration between art and nature.
With information from UOL.
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