“Shoreline Restoration Series”
Dimensions variable, Ketchup bottle example: 8” H x 4” W x 2 ½” D.
2022
Materials: Beach plastic collected on multiple trips by kayak, southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, reclaimed wood.
Collected and recycled beach plastic, replaced at the original site with replicas hand-carved in wood. These wood bottles eventually begin to decay, transforming into floating mini habitats. As the biodegradable wood naturally decomposes, it hosts algae and insect communities, a healthy part of the food web. An earth friendly alternative to plastic bottles that break down into micro plastic particles. This environmental intervention comments on sustainable alternatives and consumption, fossil fuel, and climate change.
“Plastic Birds”, Exhibition View.
Bald Eagle 13” H x 8.5” W x 2.5” D.
2019
Materials: beach plastic collected on multiple trips by kayak, southeastern shore of Lake Ontario.
Healing through acts of environmental stewardship. Removing an environmental threat (plastic) and reincarnating the material in the form of thing that is threatened. Note the Bald Eagle made from plastic tampon applicators and other junk plastic.
“Breeding Between Clay Colored and Chipping Sparrow in Syracuse Cemetery”.
Authored journal article, NYS Ornithological Association journal, The Kingbird.
2020
Featuring drawings of Male Clay-colored Sparrow singing from his favorite perch, Male Clay-colored Sparrow feeding ten-day old offspring, and Chipping Sparrow helper with food showing typical raised crown seen before each attempt to get to nest
This article also includes the publishing of three of my scientific illustrations of the species featured in the article. This article provides an example defining the interdisciplinary nature of my creative practice.
“Log Pile: Deforestation and Lost Wood Thrush Habitat”
2020
Materials: Logs, fluorescent orange spray paint
This is an overt and anonymous intervention addressing deforestation at Onondaga Lake. Painting all the crosscut log ends fluorescent orange called attention to the clear-cutting of Wood Thrush habitat and Onondaga Lake breeding grounds. The Wood Thrush is in steep decline due to loss of forest needed for successful breeding. Interventions, conservation, and activism, while invisible in a portfolio, are essential to my practice. Other examples feature citizen science data contributions, volunteer work, site stewardship, and speaking at DEC hearings.
“You Matter”
Dimensions variable.
2021
Materials: textiles, bath towels and washcloths.
Linens purchased from Salvation Army Family Store, embroidered, and then secretly returned to the racks. The embroidered text, You Matter, is meant to be unobtrusive, camouflaged so that it is first seen in at home, in an intimate vulnerable moment following bathing. A continuing acts of kindness and sustainability initiated during the isolation of the pandemic. All living beings matter.
Home / Place / Community: Ecology / Community: Human / Sustainability / About Me
Deborah Dohne 