Symbioscapes: Abstract

I have interviewed individuals throughout the southwestern U.S. in a place that they have a special connection to, focusing on the topic of humanity’s place in nature. For this project, in an attempt to display a mutual harmony between each individual and place, I have collected pigments from the rocks, earth, and plants at each location for painting what I will call symbioscapes (Symbio from the Greek verb συμβιόω “to live together”). Each symbioscape is a portrait combined with a landscape, combining person and place to show a seamless connection between the two. The paints were made by hand using a variety of pigments from each location.

I will be sharing excerpts from interviews with these individuals to share their stories about these places, as well as concerns or hopes they have for how humans interact with nature, and the feelings that these sites evoke in them. This project was undertaken as an attempt to point to a problem in the way humans at large are interacting with the Earth, but also as a search for mindsets and stories to share that will inspire people to strive for reciprocity in relationship with nature. “It is not enough to weep for our lost landscapes; we have to put our hands in the earth to make ourselves whole again. Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass.

4 paintings (out of total of 8 to be completed by this fall), 20” x 20”

Natural pigments, linseed oil, walnut oil on cotton canvas.

Printed interview excerpts will be included in full project.