We are not only losing our coral reefs but our culture as well - Barnes

If we are losing our coral reefs we are also losing our culture, because they are interwoven with our environment.

New and upcoming Fiji artist, Hefrani Simone Barnes highlighted this to fijivillage News at the Pacific Gallery at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii saying her paintings are based on coral bleaching.

Barnes says her artwork is based on coral bleaching which is one of the effects of climate change and cultural loss which is two pieces in one.

She says when she was thinking of how to incorporate the FestPAC theme of 'Regenerating our Oceans' into her work she saw on the news the topic of coral bleaching and it was the perfect thing to talk about.

She says the Pacific is experiencing coral bleaching and she wanted to speak on it as well as the loss of culture.

The former International School Suva student's advice to people and other artists is to step out of their comfort zone, even though they might be feeling shy or afraid, that the first step is all it takes.

Barnes has two pieces of artwork up in the Pacific Gallery while she collaborates on smaller pieces with artists from around the Pacific that they paint and sell straight away.