South America

Creative rationale

Over the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Peninsula at coordinates 60°S, 60°W, where the Drake Passage meets the Weddell Sea, harsh westerly winds drive across the polar waters. The moderate wind speed of 12.6 m/s from 261 degrees creates flowing processional movements of calligraphic marks sweeping from west to east, while the anomalously warm temperature of -1.0°C (17.8°C above the zonal mean) suggests an unusual warming event that I interpret through subtle cerulean and silver marks against the predominant cold palette. The high humidity of 85% and moderate-low pressure of 1004.7 hPa create dense atmospheric veiling and clustering of gestural marks, evoking Lewis's jazz-inflected improvisatory style as weathered Antarctic winds carry ghostly processions across the dark polar canvas.