Katrina + 5

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Global Warning, unfortunately once again

In the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf, I am pulling this quilt out again. Seems even more appropriate than when I made it a few years ago.  This is the second event with a major ecological impact in less than 5 years in the gulf coast area.

Artist's Statement:
Although Katrina missed my part of the state and Rita did not leave much physical damage, both hurricanes had lasting effects on the entire state, both financially and emotionally. Scientists have linked rising global temperatures to increasingly violent storms. Who do we blame? The phrases in red list a few likely culprits, but the words in green are the underlying causes: the seven deadly sins and a few extra. Will civilization change its ways before the entire planet is devastated?

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

Emily Dickinson c. 1868

Phrases in red on background:
pork barrel politics                        carbon dioxide
gas guzzling vehicles               corps of engineers
inadequate leadership          excess emissions            fear
diverted funding                       polluter tax breaks
faulty evacuation planning           ozone layer hole
fossil fuel dependency          vanishing wetlands
excess oil consumption         coastal erosion
toxic byproducts                  shrinking polar ice caps
incomplete ecosystems                dead zones
The poor will always be with us
Tell all the truth but tell it slant

green words in the red area:
selfishness
intolerance
arrogance
extravagance
vanity
avarice
gluttony
sloth
hubris
envy
Other ecologically-themed pieces:

Vanishing Wetlands: Legislative Compromise

materials: 434 adhesive bandages, corn pad, gauze, adhesive tape, spanish moss, netting, cotton fabric, acrylic paint

Endangered Swamp: Fade to Black
(note how the wildlife is missing from the pictures)

Global Warning

A number of people in my fiber artists' group made pieces commemorating or commenting on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Artist Statement on this piece:

Although Katrina missed my part of the state and Rita did not leave much physical damage, both hurricanes had lasting effects on the entire state, both financially and emotionally. Scientists have linked rising global temperatures to increasingly violent storms. Who do we blame? The phrases in red list a few likely culprits, but the words in green are the underlying causes: the seven deadly sins and a few extra. Will civilization change its ways before the entire planet is devastated?

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind—

Emily Dickinson c. 1868

Other Louisiana artists in this group include:

Nancy Hinds http://www.fiberartsstudio.com/gallery1.htm

Claire Fenton http://www.clairefenton.com/

Lucy Landry http://lucylandrydesigns.com/default.aspx

Patty Gamburg

Sally Gordon

Melanie Borne

Sharon Walton

Lisa Ducote

Melody Greenberg

Susan Broussard

Mary Felder

Louise Regan

Sharon Crary http://www.crt.state.la.us/crafts/db/companydb.asp?AUTONUMBER=208