Wax collage on wooden panel

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We do not only belong to the Earth, we are made of it. 

 

This is one of those concepts that if taken seriously by the masses, could end our greed and hostility towards the Earth. It is humbling, it is modest, and it could save this planet. 

 

Every organism, all matter, is made of the same elements, constantly recycled. My idea was to explore the similarities between human skin and form, and the skin and form of the Earth. Every prominent bone and joint is a mountain, every indent a valley. The skin stretched tightly is the ground, with its cuts and gashes as cracks in the Earth. Veins in wrists are the tree branches, long hair on necks and backs is the river over the waterbed. 

 

It’s all connected, the same patterns prevalent everywhere. 

 

“We are one” is written in the sky to enhance this message. We are one with the Earth, we are the universe experiencing itself. 

 

The blue sky was done with melted crayon dripped and re-melted on a wax-coated wooden panel. The collage was done with wax-dipped printed pictures. The plastic tree branches in the foreground were glued using hot wax as the adhesive. 

 

I quite enjoyed playing with wax, I had no idea it had so many uses.  It is an unpredictable medium. When print-outs are coated in wax, they look completely different. It is hard to guess what the level of opacity will be, and how your final piece will look as a whole. This project was filled with surprises, with the blue sky blending in such an interesting way, and the skin cut-outs becoming more transparent than planned. I am happy with this piece, and the experience with wax was altogether exciting and informative.