Arctic Outflow

STATEMENT

This work was born out of my time with The Arctic Circle residency aboard a ship exploring the remote and rugged land and seascapes of Svalbard, the island archipelago that rests between Norway and the North Pole. These images are from this unique experience.

This series is a reflection on the ways that humans are embedded in even the most remote landscapes. The creative process included contemplative time in the landscape, photographing small details as well as larger overviews, and collecting remnants of ocean plastics along shorelines. With the images captured, I created photo transfers on raw canvas, a process that allows for a tactile connection without access to darkrooms or chemicals. I then hand stitched fragments of found rope into the pieces, contemplating the ways we (and our waste) are interlaced into the natural world, while at the same time imagining each stitch helping to mend the holes in the fabric of our planet. The bits of marine rubbish serve not only as a pop of color for visual interest, but also as a reminder that human impact is woven into every landscape, everywhere.

I enjoy the way image transfers allow photos to develop gradually, revealing themselves slowly under patient hands. It is a soothing process, reminding me at times of rubbing away concerns on a worry stone, relieving anxieties about the damage we continue to do to the environment. It requires patience and presence, and has allowed me to connect more deeply with the images I created in a brief moment in the Arctic. I like the unpredictability of the process as well, the imperfections and flaws, and the fractured lines and missing toner which add a sense of fragility, a nod to the fleeting nature of the Arctic. Here is a stopmotion video of my image transfer process.

I see this work as a commentary on consumerism, but I also seek to illustrate beauty in our current situation, an acceptance of reality. In so doing, I hope to encourage viewers to reconsider their own use or reuse of items, but also to treasure what is already here, both natural and manmade.

To view reference images used in this series, as well as other photographs captured during the residency, click here.

Works from this series are available for purchase ($300 to $3000, not including tax or shipping). Please get in touch to view a price list.