The Resilience and Extinction of Nature: A Visual Exploration

🎨The artist creates paintings that are an investigation into humanity's relationship with nature and the impact of human activities on biodiversity.

🦜The paintings feature extinct and endangered species, highlighting the importance of preserving and protecting biodiversity.

💔The artist's work serves as a reminder of the cumulative destruction of nature and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

🌍The paintings depict the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the impact of human actions on the environment, including water, weather, soil, oceans, and climate.

⏰The paintings act as alarm clocks, urging viewers to recognize the urgency of the environmental crisis and to take action to protect and preserve nature.

What is the inspiration behind the artist's paintings?

—The artist is inspired by humanity's relationship with nature and the need to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Why does the artist focus on extinct and endangered species?

—By depicting extinct and endangered species, the artist aims to highlight the irreversible loss of biodiversity and the urgent need to protect and preserve endangered species from extinction.

What message does the artist hope to convey through their paintings?

—The artist's paintings serve as a call to action, reminding viewers of the urgency of the environmental crisis and the need to take immediate steps to protect and preserve nature.

How does the artist use traditional painting techniques in their work?

—The artist incorporates techniques inspired by Dutch still life masters into their paintings, creating timeless and visually striking artworks.

What is the significance of the title 'Gone' in one of the paintings?

—The painting 'Gone' represents extinct species, acting as a solemn reminder of the irreversible loss of biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts.

00:08The video begins with an introduction to a painting called 'Palisades,' which was created to fund a park in Guatemala.

00:32The artist's practice focuses on investigating humanity's relationship with nature and the loss of biodiversity.

01:14The painting 'Understory' is discussed, highlighting the use of a rubric and a database to create a painting depicting new species.

01:42The artist explains the value of specimens and their role in genetic libraries and environmental data collection.

02:44The painting 'Canopy' features newly discovered species, emphasizing the importance of Western science in documenting biodiversity.

03:12The painting 'Trade' explores black market trade and the negative impact on wildlife.

04:44The painting 'Back' showcases species that were once thought extinct but were rediscovered or saved from extinction through interventions.

05:57The painting 'Gone' portrays extinct species, serving as a powerful reminder of the loss of biodiversity.