Avant-garde artist Anohni Hegarty is heading to the Great Barrier Reef for the first time, and her feelings are as tumultuous as the waters she’s about to explore. "I feel like I’m going to Auschwitz," she admits, torn between excitement about witnessing the stunning landscape and fear of what she might find there.

Traveling to Lizard Island, a luxurious spot in the reef famous for its pristine sands and azure waters, Anohni’s mission is a daunting one—documenting the health of the world’s largest coral reef. Referred to as the Earth’s left lung, the Great Barrier Reef supports a staggering array of biodiversity and plays a vital role in our planet's health, contributing to oxygen production and serving as a carbon sink.

Yet, this natural wonder is in grave danger. With six mass coral bleaching events occurring over the last nine years due to unprecedented marine heatwaves, scientists warn that the loss of coral reefs could trigger a chain reaction of ecosystem failures leading towards mass extinction.

Rituals of Mourning in the Face of Loss