In the depths of the ocean lurks a type of "ghost" abandoned by humans—typically plastic fishing nets that have been lost in accidents or deliberately discarded. These "ghost nets" not only persist in the sea for centuries, transforming into invisible "death traps" that continuously entangle and kill marine creatures—such as sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and fish—but also break down into microplastics, invading the entire food chain and ultimately endangering humanity itself.
"Ghost Fishing Nets" in the Ocean © WildAid
At the invitation of the Museum of Art Pudong (MAP) for a collaborative project, we hosted a special workshop on February 1, 2026, centered around the upcoming exhibition Carolina Caycedo: Salute of the Whales. Students and teachers from the Shanghai Roots & Shoots school groups responded to this reality through art; by working together to reshape plastic waste from their daily lives alongside actual ghost nets, they transformed these materials into an integral part of the exhibition—giving voice to this silent pollution and expressing themes of both warning and rebirth.
Photos from the event site © Museum of Art Pudong (MAP)
At the start of the event, the students from the Roots & Shoots groups gathered in a circle to listen as artist Carolina Caycedo eloquently shared the stories behind the fishing nets—recounting how these "ghost nets," abandoned in the ocean, continue to drift amidst the currents, silently entangling marine life and leaving ecological scars that persist for centuries.
Indeed, the original intention behind our collaboration with the Museum of Art Pudong to organize this co-creation event was to empower everyone to contribute—in whatever way they can—toward alleviating this ecological crisis.
Carolina Caycedo introducing the exhibition concept to the group © Shanghai Roots & Shoots
During the preparatory phase, we issued a call for participants to bring along used items from their daily lives to contribute to the collaborative creation. Consequently, objects that had previously been scattered in the forgotten corners of everyday life were brought to the venue one by one: empty beverage bottles, a single leather shoe, a handful of colorful drinking straws... They lay quietly on the worktables, being gazed upon with such earnest attention for the very first time. Guided by the artists, the participants touched, observed, and discussed the materials at hand, deepening their understanding of plastic pollution. They realized that every choice we make in our daily lives is inextricably linked to the exhibition’s core philosophy of "symbiosis among all things” and that every choice bears upon the future of marine ecosystems.
The household waste the students brought © Shanghai Roots & Shoots
This profound realization immediately translated into a drive to take action; as the sounds of discussion gradually faded, the students quickly immersed themselves in the creative process. Amidst the figures gathered around the workstations, Adam—from Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School—stood out. Cradling two white Styrofoam boxes in his arms, he gently placed them on the table, his gaze earnestly scrutinizing the materials before him, his voice carrying that unique blend of purity and urgency characteristic of childhood. When asked why he had chosen to bring Styrofoam, he replied: "If the ocean becomes filled with this white foam, the little fish won't be able to see clearly; they'll mistake it for food and swallow it. And just like that, the world loses one adorable little fish. Over time, that means one less fish in the food chain—and eventually, even the fierce sharks might vanish completely." There were no complex formulations, no flowery rhetoric—within this innocent yet sincere words lay, in every syllable, the children's purest concern for marine life and their most earnest hope for the preservation of the ocean's ecosystem.
Adam creating with Styrofoam boxes © Shanghai Roots & Shoots
At a workstation on the other side of the room, students from Hiba Academy Shanghai were also working together. They had brought along a whole box overflowing with plastic bottles; some students flattened the bulging bottles, while others bent down to meticulously adjust their placement, ensuring that every bottle fit snugly against the discarded fishing nets. Still others carefully peeled the labels and packaging off the bottles, fashioning them into ribbons to tie along the edges and through the mesh of the nets—a vivid simulation of how marine debris scatters and becomes entangled in the ocean, lending an even deeper significance to their creation.
Simulatingthe state of plastic bottles in the ocean © Shanghai Roots & Shoots
The projects created by students from the other schools were equally inventive, each utilizing a distinct "material language" to collectively express their deep care and concern for the ocean. Meilong Middle School wove discarded toys and clothing into the mesh of their fishing net, imbuing the cold, rigid grid with a layer of warm texture.
Heqing Middle School, meanwhile, artfully arranged and secured discarded items—such as used badminton shuttlecocks—along the edges of their net. They also penned handwritten eco-cards, giving voice to these silent discarded objects and allowing them to issue a gentle, poignant call.
Students from Heqing Middle School explain their creative concept to the artist. ©
Shanghai Roots & Shoots
Students from the High School Affiliated to Fudan University brought together discarded materials of various compositions—such as nylon and synthetic fibers—sorted and organized them and affixed them to their net. This arrangement clearly showcased the distinct forms of different waste types, allowing viewers to intuitively grasp the varying impacts that different kinds of trash have on the marine environment.
Students from the Shanghai American School wrapped plastic piping around the exterior of their net, simulating the discarded pipelines found in the ocean that often entangle marine life. The curvature of the pipes followed the contours of the net, not only faithfully recreating a realistic scene of marine pollution but also lending the artwork greater visual impact.
Artwork created by students from the Shanghai American School. © Pudong Museum of Art
The YK Pao School students embedded colorful plastic faux flowers into the mesh openings and twined them around the edges of their net. Combined with an assortment of small, discarded decorative items, they crafted a whimsical "underwater garden." Although marine plastics represent a dangerous and cruel reality, one can still sense—through the children's creations—their deep sense of romance and optimism regarding the ocean.
High-contrastflowers crafted from the foam netting used to package fruit. © Shanghai Roots
& Shoots
This endeavor felt akin to a ritualistic act of restoration: through the labor of their own hands, they transformed the remnants of environmental destruction into symbols of care and stewardship. Each artwork encapsulates the students' deep concern for—and commitment to protecting—marine ecosystems; the convergence of these diverse creative styles infused this collaborative project with both warmth and power.
Artworkin progress by students from the Primary School Affiliated to the University of
Shanghai for Science and Technology (unfinished piece). © Shanghai Roots &
Shoots
What ultimately stands before us is not merely a work of art, but a collective narrative centered on the question: "How to fix?" We believe that true change begins with education and is realized through action. For twenty-seven years, Shanghai Roots & Shoots has steadfastly upheld Dr. Jane Goodall’s philosophy “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference “dedicating itself to fostering sustainable development for youth and civic literacy. Through diverse initiatives centered on "Care and Concern for the Environment, Animals, and Your Community," we strive to transform ecological awareness into action—one that the younger generation can perceive, participate in, and pass on.
The exhibition Carolina Caycedo: Salute of the Whales is set to officially open on February 12, 2026. On this occasion, the artistic projects created by students—centered around the theme of fishing nets—will be showcased on Level B1 of the Museum of Art Pudong. We warmly invite everyone to visit and see the exhibition! These works serve not only as explorations of marine issues but also as a collective expression of creative energy.
Special Thanks: Museum of Art Pudong
Participating Schools:
Shanghai Meilong Middle School
Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School International Division
Shanghai Heqing Middle School
Shanghai Foreign Language School
The Primary School Affiliated to the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
Shanghai World Foreign Language Academy
High School Affiliated to Fudan University
Shanghai American School
Hiba Academy Shanghai
YK Pao School