Pearl Diver

This is a digital illustration done in Photoshop. The subject matter is a Kuwaiti pearl diver carrying his heritage on his back. The various layers he carries point to different eras and materials derived from the land.

Pearl diving was the main sources of income for Kuwaitis prior to the discovery of oil in the 1930's. Often expeditions were perilous, lasting months. Divers would descend to the ocean floor with a woven basket to collect the oysters they'd find. Although the tradition has long been abandoned as a source of income, many Kuwaitis today still practice the art of pearl diving as a way to reconnect with their heritage.

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