"To translate knowledge and information into experience: that is the function of literature and art."
-Joseph Campbell
Artists are taking the environmental knowledge and information supplied to us by scientists and journalists and bringing our awareness of these raw facts to a more visceral, primal level. It is when enough of us feel the reality of the facts experientially that real change will occur.Artists have been supporting environmental causes and educating the public through the creation of: Nature Photography, Earth Art/Ecoart/Environmental Art, Wildlife Art, Plein-Air Painting, Murals and Children's Art. All of these disciplines could be integrated in some exciting environmental art shows that have broad public appeal. The more accessible art forms could act as "gateway" art to bring in the general public and introduce them to the more conceptual or intellectualized installations and site specific educational pieces. The incredible paintings and drawings would give everyone wonderful originals and prints to take home.
This site focuses on and attempts to cultivate another, less developed part of the eco-art spectrum that includes interpretative painting, drawing, sculpture and the graphic arts that do not fall into the categories above. These artists create surreal, abstracted, fantasy, symbolic or politically provocative images that could add valuable visual iconography to the environmental art dialogue. This is a type of art with great potential and this is a new site.
Below are some initial links to some of these artists. Artists whose work fits into this category are invited to contact info@environmentalart.org for a link. This site is hosted by painter Jen Trute. You can see Jen's surreal environmental paintings at www.jentrute.com.
Nature photographers often support environmental causes with the sales of their work, and environmental groups often sell their images to raise funds.
North American Nature Photography Association
Images for Conservation Fund
Artists who have been called earth artists, ecoartists, or environmental artists have been creating educational art pieces that are often done on a large scale. Often these creations are outside and meant to be walked through or interacted with by the public. These projects sometimes have a very scientific feel to them and might even involve environmental rehabilitation.
Greenmuseum
EcoartspaceBooks on the topic include: Ecovention, Current Art to Transform Ecologies by Sue Spaid - Land & Environmental Art (Themes and Movements) by Jeffrey Kastner, Brian Wallis ed.
Wildlife artists have been creating technically sophisticated, highly detailed and accurate paintings, drawings and sculptures of animals, plants and landscapes. They often sell these images as prints and giclees. Many of them support environmental causes by creating pieces used for specific campaigns, and many donate a percentage of profits to conservation groups.
Worldwide Nature Artists Group
The Wildlife Artist Association
Artists for Nature Foundation
Wildlife Art Magazine's Wildlife Network
Society of Animal Artists
Society of Wildlife Artists
Plein air painters are often seen out in the landscape studying lighting effects, painting or drawing studies, or actually completing finished canvases on site. Many are involved with land conservation because they see as well as anyone the beauty of what is being lost to development.
The Oak Group
The Plein Air Scene: See their Feb 2003 magazine page for description of environmental projects
Baywood Artists
Southern California Artists Painting for the EnvironmentChildren's book illustrators have been publishing environmental art project and storybooks for kids.
Books: EcoArt! Earth Friendly Art & Craft Experiences for 3-9 year olds by Laurie Carlson - Good Earth Art; Environmental Art for Kids by MaryAnn F. KohlEnvironmental Art Museums and Spaces
Natural World Museum
Art Into Action