The Nature Conservancy’s global goal is to conserve 10 percent of the world’s oceans by 2030
Muses of Avatar - Zoe, Sigourney and Kate
Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Kate Winslet, stars of 20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way of Water”, posed for renowned underwater photographer Christy Lee Rogers for a series of photographs celebrating our oceans to raise funds to support The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
James Cameron, the film’s producer/director/writer, is a long-time supporter of ocean conservation. Rogers created these artworks in her unique style, breaking usual conventions and shooting the actresses through the play of light refracting through the water to evoke the feel of a painting.
Cameron said: “I have long admired Christy’s art and began collecting her works several years ago. Her unique style of shooting her subjects underwater naturally inspired me to suggest she do a special shoot with our cast.”
Muses of Avatar - Zoe Saldaña and Kate Winslet
The artwork will be launched online on March 8, 2024, as four limited edition, museum quality photographs signed by Rogers, as well as a series of high-quality prints both signed by Rogers and unsigned, available for purchase through Fraser Scott at A Gallery Artists Ltd. via Rogers’ website at www.christyleerogers.com/avatar.
“Offering these unique pieces of art to benefit The Nature Conservancy through the “Avatar: The Way of Water’s” ‘Keep Our Oceans Amazing’ campaign is a perfect synergy, and we were excited to collaborate with Christy,” added Producer Jon Landau.
Muses of Avatar - Zoe Saldaña
In celebration of “Avatar: The Way of Water”, Disney and Avatar launched a global “Keep Our Oceans Amazing” campaign to raise awareness of the challenges facing oceans and marine life. The campaign supports TNC and its work to protect 10 of our oceans’ amazing animals and their habitats, connected to the beauty of Pandora. This art sale is one of many ways fans can help TNC reach its goal, as 100% of net proceeds from the art sales will go to TNC and help protect our oceans. To learn more, visit: www.nature.org/disney
Christy Lee Rogers said: “Water is healing – it’s life itself. And as the provider of life – oxygen to all through tiny phytoplankton, our oceans need our care more than ever right now. It is a great honor to be able to help James Cameron, Jon Landau, and the ‘Avatar’ and Disney teams in realizing that dream of clean and protected world oceans – through the release of these images for The Nature Conservancy.”
Muses of Avatar - Kate Winslet
“Healthy oceans are vital to the health of the planet and all living things, including people. Oceans are 90% of the habitable planet and home to more than half of all life on earth; they provide livelihoods for billions of people, produce the food we eat and half the air we breathe,” said Melissa Garvey, Global Director of Ocean Protection at The Nature Conservancy. “Through the work of Christy Lee Rogers and the support of Disney and Avatar, we can shape a brighter future where people and nature can thrive—ensuring healthier oceans for all.”
20th Century Studios’ “Avatar: The Way of Water”, nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture, is filmmaker James Cameron’s highly-acclaimed first follow-up to his 2009 blockbuster hit “Avatar.” Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the Lightstorm Entertainment Production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. The story is by James Cameron &Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.
Christy Lee Rogers is a visual artist from Kailua, Hawaii. Her obsession with water as a medium for breaking the conventions of contemporary photography has led to her work being compared to Baroque painting masters like Caravaggio. In 2019 she won Open Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards. She is a two-time finalist for the Contemporary Talents Award from the Foundation François Schneider in France, and was commissioned by Apple to create underwater images with the iPhone 11Pro, as well as featured in their behind-the-scenes process films. Rogers' art has been featured on several album covers, including “Orchesography” for the 80s band Wang Chung, and her images were selected for the 2013–2014 performance season of the Angers-Nantes Opera in France. In 2020 she created the cover image for the 2021 Lavazza Calendar ‘The New Humanity.’
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy supports the goal of protecting 30% of the planet’s ocean, lands and freshwater over the next decade. To contribute to that goal, TNC intends to conserve more than 10% of the world’s ocean area by 2030. Working in 76 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.