Connection
This artwork was created as part of the Prairies Climate Advocacy Training by the Climate Reality Project Canada. I joined a group of wonderful creatives to create a cohesive project. After much discussion, it was obvious that all of us joined the event searching for connections in the climate action community. Immediately we had a theme: Connection.
I feel strongly connected to the prairies. I was born in Manitoba, lived in rural Alberta, and settled in Calgary as an adult. I spent time in Saskatchewan while I was growing up, visiting my grandparents and other relatives. To me, the prairies represent a culture of self-reliance, hard work, and innovation. Though the Prairie Provinces have contributed to climate change inducing industries, I believe we can forge ahead with solutions and resiliency.
My artwork represents the culture of self-reliance and innovation that comes with life on the prairies. Using found objects and reused materials, I created this piece with techniques that I taught myself, embodying that same stick-to-itiveness and creativity. Materials include worn out work jeans, thrifted yarn, old t-shirts, dried grass from my neighbourhood, and a branch from a fallen neighbourhood tree. The woven tapestry's colours were chosen to represent the watersheds we share, and creeping drought. I used official Provincial flowers to represent the three provinces. I ensured the flowers stood out to signify the vibrant cultures and peoples that live there.
Prairie Blooms
Cut from the same cloth,
the rose, lily, and crocus,
thriving together.
the rose, lily, and crocus,
thriving together.
Changes in large scale,
heat waves, wildfire, extreme drought,
connected events.
heat waves, wildfire, extreme drought,
connected events.
Many generations,
threaded by earth, air, water,
must adapt to survive.
threaded by earth, air, water,
must adapt to survive.
Hope through connections,
hard working prairie spirit.
Innovate. Prevail.
hard working prairie spirit.
Innovate. Prevail.
Alberta's provincial flower, the wild rose.
Saskatchewan's provincial flower, the western wood lily.
Manitoba's provincial flower, the prairie crocus.
These flowers are my first attempts at thread painting. This is the project that really sparked my embroidery adventure.
