Fragmentation in Nature has always occurred through fire, floods and volcanos. The process of fragmenting means breaking up a large expanse into small, distinct pieces.

In recent years we have seen more and more pictures of an accelerated fragmentation of habitat across the earth. This is due to global warming and human impacts. Roads, urbanization and agriculture are some of the main activities that break up natural areas.

Aerial pictures of these habitats fascinate me and provide the inspiration for this series of weavings. At the most elemental level, weaving consist of warp and weft, each running in a separate direction but intertwined. For me, this metaphor perfectly illustrates how nature is bound together in its own way. The search to find fibers which illustrate parts of nature in its diversity led me from very fine, delicate and valuable yarns to bulky polyester fibers in the form of leftover selvages and cut up fabrics. The juxtaposition of these different fibers transform the flat surface into a topographic map of our environment. In a few pieces, I leave spaces in the structure of the weaving to illustrate nature hanging on by a thread. Though we are in a global transition, making lifestyle changes and adapting to a changing climate, I want to encourage people to believe in a hopeful future. Only through positive action can constructive change occur.

Each weaving tells part of the story as I see it. These pieces are not a direct representation of any existing view of the earth, but are created in my mind.

 

The individual pieces can be viewed in a larger format by clicking on them: