Blanket Fort

Description

I am inspired by the feeling of wonder which is so deeply intertwined with childhood; children have an amazing ability to see our world without the psychological walls that adults create for themselves and others. The creation of blanket forts is a staple of childhood entertainment; within this piece I use the blanket fort as a symbol for wonder. I create a blanket fort which is surrounded by a forest of prints, through this, I am not attempting to recreate nature, but to present nature in an idealized state as if through the eyes of a child who is seeing it for the first time. This state of idealization is broken as the viewer realizes that the forest is created from collagraph plates which are made of found trash. My goals for this work are to inspire others to look at the natural world with new eyes, and to build a stronger connection with the wonder that is right outside their door. I want my viewers to be aware of the threats that are endangering the natural world, and how climate change is, bit by bit, taking away the wonder that is so essential to us humans, and all other living, breathing, beings.