Cascadian Monotrema – Cedar with flame, 2022. Cedrus libani, the”Cedar of Lebanon” – 32” x 16” x 14”
Lat 45.51009513623012, Long -122. 61792011229967 - Portland, OR
This piece is the first of a body of work I started earlier this year that explores a cross-pollinating hypothetical of natural, mystical, and indigenous as it relates to the natural world around us, here in Cascadia. I’ve always been enamored and curious about the tendencies towards anthropomorphizing nature to suit a whim. I do this often myself - with my dogs, birds I see in the yard, even clips I see of animals in videos and on social media. Perhaps the most recognizable Monotreme is the Duck-billed Platapus, which is not native to the Pacific Northwest. What might an abstract, hypothetical species look like in this region that bore characteristics of bird and mammal? This new body of work will include geotag coordinates for where the tree lived. My hope is this small step honors the tree and the life it had.