Patterns of Consumption & Connection 

In a world full of exploitation and overconsumption, states of despair and anxiety seem natural. The ideals fed to us do nothing to sustain but instead leave us with an emptiness and a hunger for more. The pursuit of success in our capitalist society overwhelms the beauty and life around us; discouraging and hindering our ability to act. Patterns of Consumption & Connection seeks to emphasize the complex interrelationships between beings, encouraging reflection on the roles we play in our environments and the lasting impact we leave on the world we share.  

Our essential and incredibly biodiverse wetland ecosystems are in decline (as much as 50% in the U.S), largely due to commercial and agricultural development. By meticulously recreating organisms found in Mississippi wetlands with natural and consumer waste materials, human presence and artificiality is emphasized. The diamond back water snake uses pinecones, nail caps, cans and cardboard to blend itself to its new environment. A Great Blue heron flies on wings of recycled maps of Mississippi and Starkville newspapers, not knowing if the landscape it carries will remain. How much longer will our thirst to consume drain the landscape of its wetlands and resources?  

Patterned surfaces reminiscent of salamander spots, fish scales, or tire tracks are incorporated throughout the installation. Patterns are an accumulation of smaller parts to form a larger image like organisms and ecosystems are the accumulation of individuals and cells forming to create life. Furthermore, references to the patterns and marks left by living organisms show how each plant, animal, or human leaves a trace.   

There is such a wealth of love, beauty, and wonder to be found in the world. The community given to us throughout our shared existence, through both people and other living organisms, is something to be cherished and nurtured through reciprocity and respect.