Original – Figure Series – “Guardian of the Broken Shell”

“Guardian of the Broken Shell”

In Guardian of the Broken Shell, Tanja Lategan presents a serene yet powerful depiction of a mermaid, a timeless symbol of mystery and magic. With her back to the viewer and her hair tied in a low bun, the mermaid sits upon a cracked shell, evoking the fragile yet enduring beauty of the ocean. The shell, damaged but still whole, represents the vulnerability of the sea and its ecosystems.
Using her signature watercolour, pen, and ink techniques, Lategan infuses the scene with a quiet strength. The mermaid, in her stillness, assumes the role of the ocean’s protector. Her delicate posture, paired with intricate mark making, adds to the sense of ancient wisdom and guardianship, highlighting the mystical tales that have long painted mermaids as keepers of the ocean’s secrets.
Through Tanja’s fine detail and masterful blend of ink and watercolour, the viewer is drawn into a world where the mermaid becomes a symbol of resilience and quiet power, standing watch over the sea and its fragile beauty.