Pamela's profile
As an eco-artist, I am deeply invested in exploring human being and non-human beings' relationships to each other and to land. My work juxtaposes natural elements with human-made objects, creating sculptural objects and installations that portray the complex relationships within an environment that express both conflict and harmony.
A recent theme in my art focuses on freedom of movement, access to land, foraging, and scavenging. These activities profoundly influence the adaptability and survival of all species, especially in a future where environmental conditions are increasingly uncertain. I collect everyday artifacts of little value from our everyday, consumer culture and discarded or cast-off natural materials. I manipulate and combine and stage these elements, creating an artificial ecology that shows interaction, movement and transformation.
In recent years, I have been particularly drawn to natural wool fleece. Its physical properties require some science in processing and a sensitive touch to craft artfully, aligning with the care and attention I aim to bring to ecological issues. Wool, a globally used and common material, symbolizes our relationship with animals and the evolving landscape, embodying both tradition and transition in the face of environmental changes.
Historically, artists and writers have romanticized sheep herding as a symbol of a pastoral, nomadic life, rooted in images of a harmonious relationship with nature. However, these pastoral depictions are far removed from the realities of our lived environment in the 21st century. These idyllic constructs do not reflect the urgency of current issues like climate change, environmental degradation, land disputes, displacement and geopolitical conflict. Alongside contemporary artists engaged in eco-criticism, I explore themes of the anti-pastoral, post-pastoral or neo-pastoral seeking to deconstruct these idealized visions and represent a world impacted by human influence and ecological fragility.
My work challenges and expands traditional narratives by using wool and other materials to create pieces that evoke both the beauty and vulnerability of nature. These artworks are not merely about aesthetics; they provoke thought about our environmental responsibilities and the interconnectedness of life. Through my art, I aim to inspire dialogue on the shared ecology among humans and non-human life, urging a deeper awareness of our role in shaping the future of the planet.
