Vanishing Jungle, an installation tribute to critically endangered orangutans
As orangutans lose their jungle habitat to the expansion of the palm oil industry, both the jungle and the animals are disappearing. Orangutan babies are delightful, playful creatures, and I find it hard to think of a world without them. This installation focuses on 3 phases of their disappearance: Phase 1 we see dimensional babies playing in a lush jungle; Phase 2 we see the jungle and the animals beginning to fade and the jungle starting to disappear; Phase 3 we see a ghostly remnant of the jungle and the animals. I used delicate sheer layers to express the animals fragility.
Materials: silk organza, cotton organdy, polyester ballet net, erosion control netting, camo tarp, thread, synthetic hair, embroidery floss, cheesecloth, fabric paint
Techniques: hand drawing and painting, fabric collage, free motion quilting, dyeing, hand quilting
Size: 12 panels each sized differently:
panel 1: 3’Wx4.5’,panel 2: 4’Wx8’,panel 3: 4’Wx7.5’, panel 4: 3’Wx8.5’ panel 5: 4’Wx7’, panel 6: 4’Wx5.5’, panel 7:3.5’Wx9’, panel 8: 4’Wx6.5’ panel 9: 3’Wx6.5’,panel 10: 3’Wx7’,panel 11:4’Wx6’,panel 12: 2’Wx7.5’
Year completed: 2023