“The Art of Conservation” 

This endangered species project sentimentalizes the beauty vanishing from our natural world to captivate the curious mind. Scientific journals and conservation outreaches connect with broad audiences, but dry scientific jargon often makes the information intimating. The mode of communication commonly used is often not captivating enough to secure the viewers’ attention. Art as a tool in activism acts as a visual transmission which communicates complex information in a simple, engaging, and memorable way. Art invokes a uniquely enticing presence, which not only builds intrigue but also seeds questions within the viewer: ideally what, how and why. This is what makes this project effective in bridging the gap between the scientific community and the general populace. The artist creates beautiful objects as a more accessible and inviting platform for environmental education. Each piece produced reflects a high time commitment and a passion for the work, exemplified in the intricacy and detail which animate the sculpture, and “bring the animal to life”. The thrown vessels are used as a canvas upon which sculptural and painterly techniques are used to capture the essence of the species and environment. The stunningly ornately nature of these ceramic artworks results in an aestheticized rendering of at-risk biodiversity. By presenting this environmental issue of mass extinction through a beautified lense, the conversations on conservation become more alluring.