Shifting Ecologies

Exhibition Dates: June 17 - July 12, 2014

Reception: Thursday, June 19, 6 - 8 pm

One of the natural conditions of life is the alteration — sometimes subtle, often overt — of our environment. Industrial and technological expansion are triggering drastic environmental changes often resulting in mutations, diseases and pollutants. These ecological transformations impact everything, from the lives of bacteria to the biological processes spanning the entire globe. The overall destruction of our earth from global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, genetic engineering and toxic waste threatens our survival and way of life. The earth struggles to adapt to the imposed conditions and faces a succession of challenges without any certainty that it may sustain itself.

The word “ecology” was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1878 and originates from the Greek word oikos meaning house or household. Haeckel, a naturalist, biologist, philosopher, physician, professor and artist, expanded the meaning to include habitats. From habitats the word has come to mean the study of the environment: addressing scientifically the interrelationships of living creatures, and their conditions including the biological and physical sciences.

The artists included in this exhibition, embrace a culture of ecology and a sense of responsibility for defending the environment. William McDonough, a leader in promoting sustainability has said, “If everything that is received from the earth can be freely given back, without causing harm to any living system: this is ecology.” Artists may address the subject with on-site rigor and activism or they may address it with detached formalism and the language of painting. This show is a survey of the way artists are reacting to the current ecology of our planet and our ecological crisis and challenge.

The arists in the exhibition include: Yura Adams, Robert Barthelmes, Harry Bartnick, Reem Bassous, Diane Burko, Julie Combal, Ford Crull, Peggy Cyphers, Isobel Davis, Kristy Deetz, Pat Durr, Valentina DuBasky, Andre Eamiello, Amaranth Ehrenhalt, Alyssa Fanning, Deborah Freedman, Moira Geoffrion, Owen Gray, Jeanne Heifetz, Aimee Hertog, Callie Hirsch, Jim Holl, Cornelia Jensen, Selina Josephs, Gwendolyn Kerber, Elizabeth Knowles, Kathryn Kosto, Ellen Kozak, Rebecca Last, Lee Lee, Gwyneth Leech, Pam Longobardi, Claudia McNulty, Clayton Mitropoulos, Kristine Moran, Laura Moriarty, Gina Occhiogrosso, Sarah Olson, Paula Overbay, Marjorie Portnow, Dorothy Robinson, Linnea Ryshke, Gwyneth Scally, Eleanor Schimmel, Elizabeth Stanek, Phyllis Stoller, Donna Talman, Josette Urso, Sylvie van Helden, Marianne Van Lent, Lauren Watrous, Joshua Willis, Joyce Yamada, Brahna Yassky, Jave Yoshimoto, Sung Won Yun and Deborah Zlotsky.

View Catalogue: Shifting Ecologies.pdf