I have been given an incredible opportunity to undergo a seven day research expedition with Sail Britain investigating the ecological and cultural impacts of ocean plastic. Hosted by marine scientist and National Geographic explorer Freija Mendrik, the expedition traces the remote West Coast of Scotland sailing from Oban to Ardrossan. On board the Sigma 41 Merlin, Sail Britain facilitates the exploration of remote ocean ecologies and the use of a moving image microscope, plankton/micro-plastics net and acoustic hydrophones.

The expedition extends my research into the impacts of plastic on land based ecologies to sea based ecologies. While sailing, investigations and field studies of how to harvest and utilise micro-plastics from ocean and river systems for art making will be my focus. Micro-plastics are the most dangerous plastic pollutant contaminating our bodies and killing our blood cells.

All work resulting from this residency will be shown at This Bleeding Heart, With Love from Mars a group show including Belle Blau and Tamsin Salehian at Way Out Gallery, Kandos in April 2023.


Scientists are finding plastics and microplastics in every part of the ocean they visit. (Image courtesy of eXXpedition / Lark Rise Pictures)
If you don’t know me
Hi I am Chrystal Rimmer, I’m an artist working with recycled plastic harvested from the landscape. For five years I have dedicated my practice to research in art-making with discarded plastic. My intention is to contemplate our contemporary relationship with ‘nature’ as well as prevent further pollution and contamination of ecosystems.

Why am I asking you for money?
I am looking to raise money for the production of artwork resulting from the residency and associated travel costs. This includes a publication of findings that will be available to the public via my website and through exhibition.

While the expedition has been paired with my residency at MIET AIR Beers, Netherlands which was part funded by the Lift Off Award granted to me in 2019. I have met the additional costs of this expedition from my own limited funds. There are very considerable further costs incurred in travel and production of work for exhibition resulting from the residency.

I am not looking to turn a profit but to contribute to a knowledge base associated with the redistribution of plastic waste into something of cultural and ecological regeneration. The more funds raised the better the presentational quality of the works exhibition. However, and most importantly, the more freely I can contribute to the circulation of knowledge. I am in receipt of no public funding for this venture.

Rewards
I am approaching this crowdfunder very much like an old fashioned print sale to raise money for an artist’s venture. Rather than asking for straight-up charitable funding – though please feel free, if you wish! – I will reward you for your donations with existing works at a very reasonable price!
Please see list of rewards below. To select a reward please see column to the left.

Example costs:
Sailing Insurance – $250 +
Research materials eg. Silicone for texture moulds – $300 +
100 Printed Publications – $650 +
International Postage of research samples & artwork – $500 +
Return transport from Amsterdam- $500
Overnight stay in Oban & Ardrossan Sea Ports – $400

Reward Options:
I’ll send you a postcard.
Price : $5AU
I’ll send you a postcard! It won’t be until I return but it will be of something I have created in response to my time on the Western Isles.

POT LUCK!
Price : $15AU
Something small but something original – perhaps a little sculpture, or a small drawing piece that deserves to be on the wall rather than languishing in my archives!

Small Sculpture : Mushroom
Price : $20AU
Number Available : 20
A small sculpture of one of my signature mushrooms. I will be custom making these for you so you have the option to choose your colours, like a ‘splash of pink’ ‘pure red!’ etc.

Small Sculpture: Sydney Rock Oyster Shell
Price : $30AU
Number Available : 20
A small sculpture of one Oyster Shell. I will be custom making these for you so you have the option to choose your colours like a ‘splash of pink’ ‘pure red!’ etc.

Purple Sunsets , Green Oceans
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
167 plastic bags 20x15cm

Infinite Saplings
Price : $170 AU
Number Available : 1
204 plastic bags 26x20cm

My Dreams are Sweet
Price : $500 AU
Number Available : 1
273 plastic bags, perspex 35x23x23cm

Portrait of a Bleeding Heart
Price : $500 AU
Number Available : 1
328 plastic bags, perspex 35x23x23cm


Beathoven 2022
Price : $100 AU
Number Available : 1
232 plastic bags 25x15x23cm

Mistaken Identity
Price : $150 AU
Number Available : 1
256 plastic bags 35x15x13cm

Future Fossil 1.0
Price : $120 AU
Number Available : 1
301 plastic bags 35x15x7cm

Remember, You are Here
Price : $100 AU
Number Available : 1
5 plastic milk lids, salvaged acrylic mirror 15x14x8cm

Saline Hallucinations
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
5 plastic bags salvaged, mirrored acrylic 8x5x7cm

Here is my Offering
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
11 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 6x8x6cm

Your Heart Beats
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
7 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 8x6x7cm

This Place is Sacred
Price : $100 AU
Number Available : 1
7 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 14x14x8cm

Hope is Present
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
16 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 7x7x7cm

Float with Me
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
24 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 8x5x7cm

Waking Dream
Price : $80 AU
Number Available : 1
27 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 7x7x5cm

Momento Mori
Price : $100 AU
Number Available : 1
16 plastic lids, salvaged mirrored acrylic 16x6x8cm

Hold Me Close
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
7 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 310x6x5cm

Smoke & Mirrors
Price : $70 AU
Number Available : 1
12 plastic bags, salvaged mirrored acrylic 11x11x5cm

Fossil Vase
Price : $50AU
Number Available : 1
Fossil Vase 243 plastic bags 30x25x20cm

Future Fossil 0.8
Price : $50AU
Number Available: 1
Future Fossil 0.8 123 plastic bags, 15x10x3cm, This work is a wall hanging.

Warped Autumn
Price : $70AU
Number Available : 1
75 plastic bags, 15x17x20cm


Shrine to Broken Reality
Price : $100AU
Number Available :1
discarded plastic harvested from the landscape, recycled mirror, 30x23x15cm



What will Grow in these Ruins we have Made
Price : $150AU
Number Available : 1
What will Grow in these Ruins we have Made discarded plastic harvested from the landscape, recycled mirror, 50x35x15cm. You may choose the colour of your candles to accompany this work.

Banksia Vase
Price : $300AU
Number Available : 1
Banksia Vase 650 plastic bags, 75 x 50 x 50 cm

Momentum
Price : $700AU
Number Available : 1
Momentum 857 plastic bags, 140 x 40cm, 2021 This piece is a wall hanging.

Infinity (2020)
Price : $500AU
Number Available : 1
Infinity (2020) 401 plastic bags, 113 x 53 cm, 2020


If you don’t have money (it’s okay I know the feeling)
Don’t worry, I understand. I would simply love your help sharing this venture and perhaps passing on to those who may be in a position to donate.