Garden
2017.
An exploration of human nature through the natural world.
Gelatin emulsion prints on acrylic, floated on white painted steel.
An exploration of human nature through the natural world.
Gelatin emulsion prints on acrylic, floated on white painted steel.
Artist's Statement
Nature, the basis of our reality, both surrounds us, and thrives within us. A flower blossom, a tidal wave, the breath of a child: each communicates an aspect of the beauty of our world. To be who we are, or to become who we are meant to be, we must pursue beauty. It is these interactions that inspire my work.
But our humanity cannot be simplified or generalized. The moments and experiences that make up our lives are unique to each individual. Every action is motivated by the purpose of better living. In the midst of nature, humans express their most raw emotions filled with hope, and captivating virtue.
I use the camera to grasp those perfect moments of true humanity within nature. I attempt to capture the truest and freest moments of life, when humanity reaches its heights and falls to its lows.
In my most recent work, “and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden,” I have explored the relationship between nature and humanity. I have suggested that they are one and the same. “Garden” goes on to explore our journey through life in relationship to nature. The botanical world is here when we arrive. Each individual plant, each leaf, each flower, each stem, each twig is unique. All these individual bits come together into the functioning of our natural world. The individuality amidst the unity makes our world thrive. This can be said for humans, too. The life of each individual adds to the diverse, richly cultured and endlessly intriguing place that is our world. Nature follows us. Nature guides us. We should learn from it and not presume we can teach nature a thing or two.
Each human views nature through a particular, unique lens, transparent yet individual. Emulsion printing onto acrylic seems a fitting approach to capture this idea. Each individual is sculpted with foliage and flowers that embodies their unique nature. The image laid upon the transparent medium represents the lens through which they view the world. Each piece is backed with a solid, white, piece of steel. This represents the solid foundation and clarity that our world provides. This process and medium introduces a layer of complexity that traditional printing does not provide. It enhances the relationship between the viewer, the work and the subject themselves.
My hope is that my work inspires its viewers to protect and appreciate the world around us. In protecting nature, in understanding the deep-rooted connection we all have with her, we also protect our own nature.
But our humanity cannot be simplified or generalized. The moments and experiences that make up our lives are unique to each individual. Every action is motivated by the purpose of better living. In the midst of nature, humans express their most raw emotions filled with hope, and captivating virtue.
I use the camera to grasp those perfect moments of true humanity within nature. I attempt to capture the truest and freest moments of life, when humanity reaches its heights and falls to its lows.
In my most recent work, “and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden,” I have explored the relationship between nature and humanity. I have suggested that they are one and the same. “Garden” goes on to explore our journey through life in relationship to nature. The botanical world is here when we arrive. Each individual plant, each leaf, each flower, each stem, each twig is unique. All these individual bits come together into the functioning of our natural world. The individuality amidst the unity makes our world thrive. This can be said for humans, too. The life of each individual adds to the diverse, richly cultured and endlessly intriguing place that is our world. Nature follows us. Nature guides us. We should learn from it and not presume we can teach nature a thing or two.
Each human views nature through a particular, unique lens, transparent yet individual. Emulsion printing onto acrylic seems a fitting approach to capture this idea. Each individual is sculpted with foliage and flowers that embodies their unique nature. The image laid upon the transparent medium represents the lens through which they view the world. Each piece is backed with a solid, white, piece of steel. This represents the solid foundation and clarity that our world provides. This process and medium introduces a layer of complexity that traditional printing does not provide. It enhances the relationship between the viewer, the work and the subject themselves.
My hope is that my work inspires its viewers to protect and appreciate the world around us. In protecting nature, in understanding the deep-rooted connection we all have with her, we also protect our own nature.