Overburden

March 3 - April 30

Opening Reception, Saturday, April 2, 2:30 – 5pm

'Overburden', by Jessica Plattner, surveys the impact of human industry on the natural environment - particularly in Alberta. Plattner’s attentive oil paintings depict rolling hills and fertile lands accented by archeological ruins and industrial detritus. Ominous man-made systems and structures loom. Pipelines invade the landscapes. The resulting extraordinary realms created by Plattner are inhabited by an array of beautifully rendered flora, fauna, and children.

The word overburden, literally meaning an excessive weight or load, also references an ecosystem (or other material) existing above an extractable underground resource. With this in mind, when approaching Plattner’s works we must balance the beauty we see with the potential for disaster.

Plattner’s images embrace both existentialist ideas regarding the human experience of the world and the struggle to mine meaning from life. The artist admits that, inspirations and associations aside, her work manifests anxieties of parenthood and trepidation for future generations. These fantastic paintings create a wondrous space for such uncertainties to dwell.

Visit ArtGalleryofStAlbert.ca for details of programming for all ages related to this exhibit.