Artist Statement

We do not fully understand the ramifications of globalization. One consequence is the uninhibited exchange of plant and animal organisms across natural boundaries. At times these swaps are deliberate and at other times unintentional, but the result is often the creation of an invasive species.

Any system is interconnected; small changes have huge impact. Within the system that connects humans to nature, we are the vehicle for the destruction of balance. While non-native organisms may provide novel interest and unique beauty, the natural controls that would normally keep them in check are missing. The result is an imbalance in the delicate equilibrium of our ecosystems.

Scientific research on invasive species is at the core of my current work which addresses invasions in aquatic habitats. My work, harnesses the reproductive nature of printmaking to underscore the multiplicity of invasive species. I also employ drawing, and papercutting techniques to create site-specific installations and sculptural paper pieces, forming multi-layered, often large-scale works that employ a bold use of color, texture and form.

Invasive species are not inherently bad. They exist within their native habitats in harmony with other organisms but travel to other ecosystems primarily through human mediated transfers. Relying on the visual language of dichotomy, I create work where viewers are confronted by the destructive organisms and globalized landscapes, they are complicit in generating. In this time of rapid environmental flux, my work confronts a complicated issue.