Leslie Wayne’s ‘The Unintended Blues’ Contemplates Rising Seas and Vulnerable Shorelines

Leslie Wayne's exhibition 'The Unintended Blues' delves into the pressing issue of rising sea levels and its impact on vulnerable shorelines. Large-scale paintings, initially perceived as photographs, depict melting icebergs in the Arctic Circle, Manhattan, harbor projects, and U.S. coastlines threatened by increasing waters. As viewers approach the artwork, the imagery transforms into near-abstract shapes and coastlines, challenging the viewer's perception.

This series is a continuation of Wayne's 'This Land Is Your Land' series, which features trompe-l'œil paintings of airplane windows displaying aerial views of the American West. In 'The Unintended Blues,' Wayne broadens her focus to encompass global aquatic landscapes. She emphasizes the role of artists in raising awareness about critical issues by engaging viewers emotionally and creatively, rather than merely providing information.

The paintings are displayed as sculptures supported by metal posts, allowing viewers to encircle them and experience a sense of connection to different locations and climates. This immersive installation underscores the global nature of the crisis, as melting ice sheets and rising sea levels pose a threat to billions of people who depend on coastlines for their livelihoods, according to the United Nations.

'The Unintended Blues' is part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Counsel's 2026 River to River Festival and will be on view at the Arts Center at Governor's Island until September 27. For more information about Wayne's work, follow her on Instagram.