Artist's Statement: Under the deep sea where it is a dark world full of mysteries, there are weird creatures we have not seen. When we think of the deep dark parts of the ocean, the creatures that come to mind usually look unattractive, bizarre, or very unsettling. However deep down in the twilight zone, it is like various colours of fireworks. You can find life with vibrant pinks and blues like a whole new dimension with its own beauty and mysteries. Some even carry light and grace upon seeing them. When a light is lit in the twilight zone, we can see the many charmers who have been hiding in the dark. The deep sea is not all about the big, scary, ugly, or distorted looking creatures, it is about a magical world full of beauty and mesmerizing sights to behold.

Artist's Statement: Strawberry squid is one of the most peculiar creatures living in the twilight zone. The photophores on their skin and their asymmetrical pair of eyes do not only look fascinating, but also help them survive in the deep sea. While they use counter illumination with the “jewels” on their skin to avoid the predators, their eccentric eyes allow them to find food—from both above and below. The larger yellow eye faces upwards to see the silhouettes of the preys, and the smaller blue eye faces downwards to detect the light coming from other bioluminescent preys. This strategy allows them to search food from both sides at the same time, and I think this truly demonstrates the uniqueness and beauty of evolution in the deep sea. This piece depicts and celebrates such beauty, encouraging more exploration about all hidden wonders of the deep.