Artist Statement
Up In Flames
Mixed media sculpture: Turmeric anthotype burned paper, cardboard
The idea for my artwork came from deforestation issues, wildfires, and loss of habitats. My piece is meant to make viewers understand that pollution, global warming and unethical deforestation all play a role in the severe and accelerating extinction crisis in many species of birds. Nearly half of all species in decline and over 500 at risk of extinction within the next century. The choice of my materials was important to me because rather than using a chemical printing technique I wanted to go a more natural route and each feather is coated in turmeric and alcohol and has a variety of words relating to birds and deforestation exposed onto them. A challenge I faced was getting the mixture in an even enough coat that the words would show through after exposure, after much frustration I came up with a new idea to represent flames and sparks by going over faded words with a gold paint pen. the urgent warning I'm highlighting is that if we don't act soon, so much of our wildlife will be gone or very rare to see.