The “I Love Turtles” exhibition at the DUT Satellite Gallery recently concluded, leaving a lasting impact on visitors. Featuring a captivating series of nine paintings by DUT alumnus Nic Human, the exhibition marked the culmination of his PhD study, delving into the plight of endangered sea turtles along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Running from 17 January 2025 to 14 February 2025, the exhibition masterfully combined art and conservation, taking visitors on a powerful visual journey that highlighted the ecological challenges faced by these vulnerable creatures.
A poignant moment during the exhibition’s closing was the visit by teams from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR). As the organisation behind uShaka Sea World, uShaka Sea World Education and the Oceanographic Research Institute, SAAMBR is dedicated to marine life conservation.
For the behind-the-scenes staff, the visit offered a unique opportunity to see the broader impact of their work through the lens of art, deepening their connection to the cause they champion every day
Nikhiel Singh, communications officer at SAAMBR, shared how this exhibition provided a rare opportunity for staff to witness the far-reaching effects of their contributions to conservation.
“A few of my teams have come through to view the exhibition. They are always behind the scenes, doing incredible work that allows us to continue doing what we do. However, they do not see a lot of the time the far-reaching impact that our work has. Coming to something like this and seeing that what we do on a daily basis has an impact in a completely different industry is huge,” said Singh.
Human’s “I Love Turtles” paintings also sparked an important reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature.
Singh noted the stark contrast in Human’s works, especially the beach litter which is depicted alongside the phrase “I love Turtles.” This comparison invited viewers to ask whether society’s love for these creatures was truly reflected in its actions. Singh emphasised the artist’s ability to raise these questions without assigning blame, instead simply encouraging deeper introspection.
Human’s thought-provoking work, which is part of his PhD thesis, presents a compelling narrative that blends art with ecological discourse. The nine pieces in the series-Surveying, Second Chance, Mother, Power, Primitief, Green, Wonder, Shared, and I Love Turtles, encourage viewers to reflect on the environmental impact of human activity.
Through his research and informal engagements with uShaka Sea World staff, Human created a series of paintings that are both deeply personal and profoundly connected to global ecological issues.
This exhibition highlighted the powerful role of art in communicating urgent conservation messages, bridging the worlds of science, education, and creative expression.
Pictured: Nic Human’s exhibition at the DUT Satellite Gallery. (Photo by Thembinkosi Ntshangase).
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