Michelle Atkinson | Human Sprawl

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Michelle Atkinson, "Bull Trout," 2021

Photo by Leighton Art Centre.

Opening Reception: April 1, 2023, between 1 and 4 pm

Exploring humanity’s tendency to live in excess with personal consumption impacting biodiversity.

Born from industrial waste, animal sculptures were created from thick kiln-cast slabs of once broken office window glass destined for the landfill. The hanging Soapweed was made by cutting and melting over 300 glass liquor bottles and the pine needles are filled with a mixture of broken window, bottle and stained glass scraps.

The life-size animals represent what we’ve lost due largely to human impact and are all classified as threatened or endangered by the government. This identification not only points out that our actions have consequences but also offers an educational opportunity for us to grow from. The bull trout represents water, the swift fox land and the whooping crane air. The soapweed and pine pieces bring plant life and insects into the conversation for a fulsome representation of the vast ecosystem we are part of.

Being displayed surrounded by rich plant life and rainbow film on the windows remind us of what we must protect and offers us a ray of hope in the seemingly negative conversation regarding threats to the environment in our current time.

Installation creator Michelle Atkinson points out that we have many meaningful topics to discuss in this moment in history, but that biodiversity will always be essential. She states “If I can inspire even one person to look at their own consumption and effect change in behaviour or provoke them to learn about conservation programs, that’s a win.”