Silent Sentinels
wool, wood, chicken wire, steel
65 x 55 x 18 inches
2024
"Silent Sentinels" is inspired by the brown eyed wolf lichen, a species that thrives only in pristine conditions and serves as a bioindicator of environmental health. This sculpture, created during my residency with the Ark Project at Yellowstone National Park, is not just an artistic representation but a layered narrative that intertwines the delicate balance of nature, human influence, and historical wildlife management practices.
Created from felted sheep's wool, chicken wire, and wood, materials chosen for their direct ties to traditional and contemporary wildlife management, the piece measures 65" wide, 55" tall, and 18" deep. By scaling the lichen to human size, I aim to magnify its significance and encourage viewers to contemplate their relationship with the natural world.
The choice of materials and subject matter echoes the complex history of the brown eyed wolf lichen, historically used as a poison in wolf management practices. This duality of beauty and lethality mirrors the ongoing struggle to find a balance between human presence and wildlife conservation, a theme that resonated deeply during my time in Yellowstone, a place both wild and carefully managed to accommodate human visitors.
Living and working within the park, surrounded by its natural wonders and witnessing the constant negotiation between conservation and tourism, I was inspired to create a work that reflects on our place within nature. "Historic Echoes: The Lichen Balance" invites viewers to delve into the history and significance of the brown eyed wolf lichen, to appreciate its role as an environmental indicator, and to consider the broader implications of human interaction with the natural world.
Through this sculpture, I seek to foster a dialogue about conservation, historical practices, and the importance of maintaining a harmonious balance with nature. It is a call to observe, reflect, and act with mindfulness towards the ecosystems that sustain us.