‘Earthbound: A Crocheted Coral Reef’ is a community-based crochet project, led by artist Sue Bamford, aiming to highlight the danger to coral reefs from man made actions such as climate change and overfishing, through engaging people in creating a land-based reef from crocheted coral forms. Over the course of three years, the reef grew from just 11 schools and groups in Keelung to encompass hands from across the whole island of Taiwan, eventually involving over 1,500 participants and visited by over 50,000 people.
Volunteers from The Museum of Marine Science and Technology joined Sue on the road, teaching about the impact of climate on the ocean followed by a crash course in how to crochet. Schools and groups then created pieces for inclusion in the final reef installed in the museum turbine gallery. The work paved the way to the creation of a marine protection zone in Keelung, winning a national environmental award in recognition of its important contribution successfully blending science and craft, community and international co-operation.
