The Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) will host local artist and naturalist Nam Siu at its “Future of Oceans” lecture series on Sunday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m., at The Chapel at Fort Worden State Park.

Siu’s talk is titled, “Thalassophilic Impressions: Nautical Pursuits, Ocean Conservation, and the Confluence of Art and Science.”

Siu is an artist and overall thalassophile (ocean lover) based on the Olympic Peninsula. For his day job, he works as a biologist, protecting our state’s marine life and ecosystems. Siu is an avid surfer, diver, and spear fisher, spending most of his free time above or under the water. 

As a naturalist, Siu initially started making his art as a means to collect specimens and record his catches. All of his pressings and prints continue to be of specimens he personally collects.

He utilizes the traditional Japanese fish printing technique known as “gyotaku,” which translates to fish impression, which he has modified for his medium. He also customized his own algae pressing technique to create his algal herbarium species or kelp pressings.

Siu was Washington Sea Grant’s featured local artist in 2022.

“We are excited to host Nam Siu for this unique and special installment of our long-running lecture series,” said PTMSC Executive Director Diane Quinn. “Nam’s work demonstrates the unique convergence of a scientific understanding of our local flora and fauna with an elevation of its exquisite beauty,” Quinn added.

All events are free. Donations are welcomed and appreciated. For more information about the lecture series, visit https://ptmsc.org/programs/learn/lecture-series.