In the Curator’s Words: At Catalina Museum, San Diego-based artist explores California’s kelp forests

In the Curator’s Words is an occasional series that takes a critical look at current exhibitions through the eyes of curators.

Oriana Poindexter is a marine scientist with an extensive background in photography and the visual arts, so it only seemed natural that she’d find a way to bring all of her passions together.

At the Catalina Museum for Art and History, Poindexter has created an immersive installation that takes viewers deep into the waters off Catalina Island, giving them a glimpse of the kelp forests underneath.

The museum describes the exhibit this way: “Created by hand using historic photographic processes, ‘The Blue Forest’ features life-size cyanotype images of native marine flora, collected by Poindexter while freediving just off Catalina’s shoreline and contact printed onto flowing silk panels. Visitors are invited to wander through a labyrinth of luminous, ocean-blue silk that depicts giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), elk kelp (Pelagophycus porra) and other local species.”

Sheila Bergman, the museum’s executive director, said of Poindexter: “Oriana’s work embodies our mission to celebrate the unique art, history and environment of Catalina. ‘The Blue Forest’ allows visitors to connect with the island’s natural world in a way that is as visually stunning as it is deeply meaningful.”

Poindexter, who lives in San Diego, took some time to talk about the artistic process behind “The Blue Forest,” which opened at the Catalina Museum in early November and is on display through Oct. 11.

Q: Talk about a multidisciplinary approach! This exhibition connects the dots between art, science and ocean conservation. Tell us more about the genesis of this project.

A: I’ve imagined creating immersive, enveloping work like this since I first realized the possibilities of the cyanotype process in 2018. That moment really opened my eyes to how this tactile process of image making with sunlight, chemistry and kelp could translate my experiences underwater by illustrating both the scale and the incredible details of the kelp forest.

“The Blue Forest” is the first time I’ve combined sound recordings with a visual installation, allowing the work to engage multiple senses and more closely mirror the feeling of being submerged in the ocean. By layering imagery with audio recorded in the kelp forest, the installation becomes less about observation and more about presence. This project represents the culmination of years of experimentation and learning how to share the sensory experience of the kelp forest with those who may never have the chance to encounter it firsthand.

Q: As a marine scientist, how did you become interested in exploring the depths of the sea and then sharing what you have found via a visual project?

A: My academic background actually began in visual arts. I studied photography and visual arts as an undergraduate at Princeton University before pursuing my master’s in marine biodiversity and conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Personally, I’ve always felt that I communicate more powerfully with visuals than with words. When I began studying marine science and diving in kelp forests, it was natural to use the tools of photography to interpret and share what I was seeing underwater. Cyanotype printing became a bridge between my scientific training and artistic practice, allowing me to capture the essence of marine environments in a way that feels both analytical and emotional.

Q: As the person behind the freedives who eventually had to transform what you’ve seen into art, what was the most challenging part of this project?

A: Collaborating with nature is unpredictable and humbling. Creating the 11-foot-long kelp exposures on silk outdoors meant working with wind, light and weather. There were definitely moments of frustration as the elements interfered with my planning.

Hand-printing and cutting 900 sardines for the installation was also extremely time-consuming, though it became an unexpectedly meditative process. Much like diving itself, the work required patience, presence and a willingness to surrender to uncertainty. Even at its most challenging, however, it’s far more rewarding than a desk job. There’s a deep joy in spending my days immersed in this kind of physical, creative labor.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part?

A: Seeing everything come together on installation day was incredibly fulfilling — the sound, light and movement finally in conversation with one another. But the most rewarding moment is watching visitors’ reactions as they first enter the space.

Watching people slow down, take in their surroundings and respond with quiet awe and curiosity has been deeply meaningful. Those reactions tell me the work is creating space for reflection. Collaborating with the Catalina Museum team was also a highlight; their openness, care and enthusiasm played a vital role in bringing this vision fully to life.

Q: What is your ultimate goal? What do you hope viewers will take away from seeing this exhibition?

A: My hope is that “The Blue Forest” ignites a sense of wonder and curiosity about our ocean ecosystems, without sparking fear or despair. I want visitors to feel connected to the beauty and fragility of the kelp forest, and to leave with a deeper appreciation for what exists beneath the surface.

Rather than urgency, I hope the work encourages attentiveness and an invitation to care through curiosity and to build a more personal relationship with the natural world.

Catalina Museum for Art & History presents “The Blue Forest”

When: Through Oct. 11, 2026

Where: Catalina Museum for Art & History, 217 Metropole Ave., Avalon

Admission: $12 general admission, $10 for seniors 60 and over, active military and veterans, healthcare workers and students

Phone: 310-510-2414

Online: catalinamuseum.org