Inspired by Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

Altered Perceptions, works inspired by Rachel Carson's book  'Silent Spring'

Rachel Carson, Graphite on Paper, 2018, yf

“Life is a miracle beyond our comprehension, and we should reverence it even where we have to struggle against it. . . .” 
― Rachel Carson. ref (1) below- Silent Spring

Over the last couple of years my project work has primarily focused on exploring the effects of pesticide use and the consequential knock on effects upon bird, butterfly and bee populations. My art has been inspired by researcher Rachel Carson - (author of The Silent Spring) her informative writings from the 1960's  still resonate in these present challenging times as we experience climate change unfolding. Carson's research highlighted the devastating effects pesticide chemicals had on bird populations. She summarises succinctly with her insightful perspective the consequential effects...those often unknown realities...only experienced in hindsight....

“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?” ( ref 2) Rachel Carson

"Who's Who of pesticides is therefore of concern to us all. If we are going to live so intimately with these chemicals eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones - we had better know something about their nature and their power.” 
― Rachel Carson, ref (3) -Silent Spring

The images I have worked on are semi-abstract mixed media paintings, using mediums such as acrylic paint, ink , oil pastel, collage materials, gold leaf and embossed collaged bird images. The works are also inscribed with the phrase "Human kind....we are but one thread.... all things connect" the ground is 30x30cm, watercolour paper.

Inspired by Rachel Carson's passionate views; her sense of interconnectedness and her advocacy for protecting the natural world - my art practise draws on the challenging impact of ongoing pesticide use. By exploring the far reaching consequences upon flora and fauna, my works consider the cause and effects of decreasing bird populations currently. And the knock on effect this brings.

Embedding a solitary bird into an abstracted space creates a sense of alienation - this juxta-positioning emphasises the impact of separation from its natural habitat and the challenging ecological predicaments this brings with it ...something we all must consider...

Key artists who have informed my creative approach and inspired me to explore new techniques are : Frans Krajcberg, Mienrad Craighead, Anselm Kiefer, Kurt Jackson, Jackson Pollock.

Alterd Perceptions( Bird) VIII Mixed Media 30x30cm
On paper, 2017 by Yvonne Marie Forster 

Altered Perceptions (Bird) VII Mixed Media
30x30cm, on paper 2017 by Yvonne Marie Forster  

These imae works on paper are framed and areo hang. sizes ranging from 25x25cm  to 60x60c
Carson’s thesis that we were subjecting ourselves to slow poisoning by the misuse of chemical pesticides that polluted the environment may seem like common currency now, but in 1962 Silent Spring contained the kernel of social revolution.” 
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring ref (3) below from silent spring 

://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/15332.Rachel_Carson (ref 1)


https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/880193-silent-spring(2)