Jason deCaires Taylor's 'The Solomon Siren' memorializes a lost island

In the intertidal zone off Kale Island in the Solomon Islands, British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor has unveiled 'The Solomon Siren.' This life-sized artwork features climate activist Gladys Habu Bartlett leaning against a tree crafted from stainless steel. Commissioned by the British High Commission Honiara, the piece honors Kale Island, which has vanished due to rising sea levels. Inscribed dates include 2006 (when sea-level rise became concerning), 2016 (the island's confirmed loss), 2026 (the sculpture's installation), and future projections for 2036 and 2046. Constructed from pH-neutral cement, biochar, and stainless steel, it is intended to evolve into a living reef. At high tide, the sculpture is submerged; at low tide, it becomes visible. Bartlett, a pharmacist and climate advocate, established the Women's Professional Network Solomon Islands and was honored with the Commonwealth Points of Light Award in 2021.