Fragments of Shrinking Shore
Poulami Saha
Chelsea College of Arts UAL
My research and practice presents a material-led response to ocean microplastic pollution and fashion industry's significant contribution to it. Using fish scales, a widely discarded marine by-product, the practice explores surface textiles and embellishment alternatives, including biodegradable sequins, leathers and papers. The research is shaped by concerns around rising sea levels and delta erosion in the Bengal region, where ecological change is displacing fishing communities and threatening cultural landscapes at pace. Drawing from my personal heritage rooted in Bengal, a culture where fish is more than just food, I am drawn to fish scales as a material that resonates personally. This work brings together material experimentation and regional symbolism to propose more responsible design futures. By using fish scales both as waste and cultural reference, the practice connects biodesign with identity, aiming to shift how we value materials. It advocates for low-tech, sustainable alternatives that honour place, memory, and community, while addressing urgent environmental challenges.