The illustration was created as part of The Web of Water, an international art project bringing together different perspectives on water, its use and misuse, and its fundamental importance to life on Earth. The composition responds to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, when an estimated 210 million gallons of oil were released into the sea during a critical period for the mating and nesting of bird and marine species.

Combining layers of drawings, photographs and ink blots, the work explores the destructive impact of oil contamination on birds. By coating their feathers, oil strips away their natural waterproofing and insulation, leaving them vulnerable to hypothermia and compromising their ability to fly. Through its layered imagery and expressive use of materials, the illustration highlights the devastating consequences of human activity on marine ecosystems.