Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean examines the historical causes and ongoing effects of the cultural and environmental devastation of the Pacific Ocean and harnesses art’s potential to enact positive ecological change, both planetary and local.

Covering nearly one-third of the earth’s surface, the Pacific Ocean is home to thousands of interconnected peoples, species, and ecosystems—all under threat from climate change, industrial pollution, and overfishing. Works in diverse media by 21 contemporary artists and collaborative teams are organized around the theme of ocean currents, which traverse the Pacific and suggest fluidity, interconnectivity, and collective responsibility. Each project addresses a specific issue affecting the oceanic environment; together, they highlight the interdependency of resources and the impact of local actions on global problems.

At a time when the health of the Pacific Ocean is in a fragile and volatile state, Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean unites art, science, and Indigenous knowledge systems to raise awareness and improve coastal conditions. In addition to the Oceanside exhibition, there will be two satellite presentations at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Costa Mesa and the Crystal Cove Conservancy in Newport Beach.