Beautiful Extinction
Stolen Lands
Paintings by Bruce Zaretsky
Show runs September 6 - October 30, 2021
Opening Reception on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 5-7pm
Face Masks are required in the Gallery.
Artist Statements
Beautiful Extinction was born when I noticed how beautiful the sunsets were during an outbreak of wildfires across the United States. These fires, along with the far-reaching smoke and soot, created magically colored skies of reds and oranges and purples over the course of weeks. It got me to thinking how even the act of destruction can be beautiful. Wildfires burning down forests. Floods inundating cities. Smoke from pollution and wildfires creating gorgeous sunsets. These all have a special beauty, even as they are destroying.
Many of these events are becoming more common as we humans continue to contribute to climate change. We are steadily creating a scenario where our species will itself become extinct. So this beauty, while it will still exist, will not be observed by us. Our actions have already contributed to the demise of countless other species.
And many more extinctions are on the horizon. So, this Beautiful Extinction also acknowledges the imminent extinction of so many beautiful life forms, from coral reefs to White Rhinos to Sunda Tigers, along many others, due to climate change, forest destruction, acidifying oceans and, most despicable, poaching of animals for their fur, horns and tusks. These animals are beautiful. And many are on the cusp of extinction. Even if we cannot, or are not willing to, slow or reverse the effect we’re having on the planet and its life, we can acknowledge our responsibility for the loss of so many beautiful species.
Last, this show also honors the many lost cultures of America. This set of works, called Stolen Lands, acknowledges the taking by force of sacred Native American lands by settlers and the United States government. These paintings recognize some of these beautiful people and the land they lived on for centuries.
The art work is for sale. Please contact Bruce at bruce@brucezaretskyart.com.
For more about the artist: https://www.brucezaretskyart.com
Beautiful Extinction was born when I noticed how beautiful the sunsets were during an outbreak of wildfires across the United States. These fires, along with the far-reaching smoke and soot, created magically colored skies of reds and oranges and purples over the course of weeks. It got me to thinking how even the act of destruction can be beautiful. Wildfires burning down forests. Floods inundating cities. Smoke from pollution and wildfires creating gorgeous sunsets. These all have a special beauty, even as they are destroying.
Many of these events are becoming more common as we humans continue to contribute to climate change. We are steadily creating a scenario where our species will itself become extinct. So this beauty, while it will still exist, will not be observed by us. Our actions have already contributed to the demise of countless other species.
And many more extinctions are on the horizon. So, this Beautiful Extinction also acknowledges the imminent extinction of so many beautiful life forms, from coral reefs to White Rhinos to Sunda Tigers, along many others, due to climate change, forest destruction, acidifying oceans and, most despicable, poaching of animals for their fur, horns and tusks. These animals are beautiful. And many are on the cusp of extinction. Even if we cannot, or are not willing to, slow or reverse the effect we’re having on the planet and its life, we can acknowledge our responsibility for the loss of so many beautiful species.
Last, this show also honors the many lost cultures of America. This set of works, called Stolen Lands, acknowledges the taking by force of sacred Native American lands by settlers and the United States government. These paintings recognize some of these beautiful people and the land they lived on for centuries.
The art work is for sale. Please contact Bruce at bruce@brucezaretskyart.com.
For more about the artist: https://www.brucezaretskyart.com
Please RSVP to the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/648460762795444
The Geisel Gallery is located on the Second Floor Mezzanine Floor of Legacy Tower
One Bausch + Lomb Place, Rochester, NY 14604
The Geisel Gallery is located on the Second Floor Mezzanine Floor of Legacy Tower
One Bausch + Lomb Place, Rochester, NY 14604
