ARTIST STATEMENT

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The exhibition title is inspired by Charles Darwin’s writings “The Origin of Species” (1859) and his later work “The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication (1868). Darwin described life on earth as adaptations to endless forms as a result to constant change in the environment; likewise, he described breeders of domesticated animals as sculptors for traits they favored. This idea of ‘sculpting life’ has special meaning at this moment in history in which consciously or unconsciously our species is changing the entirety of biodiversity on Earth. The work in this exhibition responds to this idea through portraits and samples of sculpted life.

As in Darwin’s time, professional breeders still select animals for their most valued genetic attributes, creating new varieties of pigeons, dogs, tropical fish breeds and others. The modification of DNA through modern biotechnology as well as unintentional incidents such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have a profound impact on life on Earth that result in the loss of hundreds of species.

Conversely, positive actions such as restoring natural habitats, planting pollinator gardens, and educating people to help maintain and increase biodiversity.  As humans we have this remarkable ability to restore environments and help them and other species. Life wants to persist if we let it. Endless forms thrive when we give them means.