Fragmented Hammerhead

Imagining being able to look at the world with x-ray vision. Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises are able to see in ‘ultrasound’, through ecolocation. This capacity allows for them to see beyond the surface and into the substantive layers of the world they Navigate.  Jan Menzel' has managed to achieve something of this capacity through his x-ray art series. The staggering statistics are sobering: as you read these words, 1141 sharks will have fallen victim to senseless slaughter worldwide. This equates to a harrowing 274,000 sharks per day, a critical species in the ecological relationships in the ocean, sharks have remained unchanged for millions of years. Like turtles they come with worlds, and wisdoms. Jan Menzel, a devoted conservationist and the trailblazing South African X-ray artist, aims to surface these wisdoms, through looking deeper, well beyond the surface. X-Ray art, typically used for medical diagnostics, is a fitting medium for an exhibition exploring, care, radical hos;itality and healing ocean wildlife. Indeed, this exhibition aims to raise funds for a marine wildlife hospital. By utilising X-rays as an artistic medium, Menzel speaks to the care, attentiveness and healing practices we must adopt to support endangered species teetering on the edge of survival. 

Each X-ray crafted by Menzel carries with it a sense of vitality and individuality, serving as a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of all life forms. Collaborating closely with the South African Ocean Research Institute, Menzel employs specialised X-ray and scanning technology to meticulously capture the intricate details of ocean mammals, both internally and externally.  Menzel's work has not only graced exhibitions around the.