Oil Spill Duck Sculpture

Bringing a different perspective to the BP Gulf Oil Spill, California artist Donald Gialanella (jell-a-nell-a) transforms crude oil into art.

Lifelike images of birds, turtles and marine creatures--created from the very oil that is harming them--emerge from the artist’s hands in this media event on the beach.

Working right on the Louisiana shoreline, Gialanella scoops up blobs of oil and adds a special, low environmental impact coagulant to make the oil solid enough to sculpt. While the gooey petroleum solidifies, the artist works quickly to capture the essence of the creatures he portrays.

“When I say I work in oils, this is not what most people expect," says Gialanella." But when the see the sculpture of oil-soaked animals made from the actual oil that is causing the damage, the message becomes crystal clear.”
All proceeds from the sale of these unique sculptures will be donated to the Gulf Oil cleanup effort.