The Beauty of Wildlife — and an Artistic Call to Protect It | Isabella Kirkland | TED

Palisades: A Reflection on Nature and Extinction

Introduction to the Painting "Palisades"

• The painting "Palisades" depicts the historical biodiversity along the Hudson River, north of New York City.

• Created to support a new park in Guatemala, it serves as a reminder of what has been lost in nature.

Artistic Practice and Research

• The artist's work investigates humanity's relationship with nature, focusing on both existing and extinct species.

• The painting "Understory" was developed through extensive research using a rubric and database rather than initial sketches.

• Complex paintings typically take about a year to complete, reflecting the artist's commitment to activism through art.

Value of Specimens

• Specimens like study skins from natural history museums serve as genetic libraries and contain valuable environmental data.

• Detailed studies of specimens are conducted to ensure accurate representation in artwork, aiming for a lifelike depiction.

Exploring New Species: "Canopy" and "Trade"

Discovery of New Species

• The painting "Canopy" features newly discovered species that are unfamiliar to Western science but known locally.

Risks of Collecting

• The concept of black market trade is explored in the painting titled "Trade," highlighting illegal wildlife sales driven by novelty and rarity.

• Despite regulations protecting wildlife, enforcement is inadequate due to overwhelming demand for exotic species.

Human Impact on Nature: Resilience and Extinction

Hope for Nature's Resilience

• The painting "Back" symbolizes hope for nature’s resilience amidst human exploitation.

Stories of Recovery

• Some species have been rediscovered or saved from extinction through significant efforts; others remain permanently lost.

The Weight of Extinction: Reflections on Loss

Depictions of Extinct Species

• Every element in certain paintings represents extinct species, emphasizing their irreversible loss from our world.

Artistic Techniques Inspired by History

• Influenced by Dutch still life masters, the artist employs traditional techniques combined with modern science to convey messages about biodiversity.

Art as an Alarm Clock: Urgency for Conservation

Environmental Snapshot Through Art

• Paintings act as snapshots or messages in bottles aimed at future generations regarding current biodiversity crises.

Historical Context and Current Crisis

• Reflecting on past environmental crises faced by figures like Audubon, the artist expresses concern over ongoing global ecological destruction.

The Importance of Documenting Biodiversity

The Role of Art in Advocacy

• The speaker emphasizes the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss, likening it to repeatedly hitting the snooze button on an alarm.

• They express a commitment to documenting at-risk biodiversity through painting, creating a visual record that advocates for conservation efforts.

• A critical question arises regarding the future impact of these paintings: what message will they convey to future generations?

• The speaker highlights the dual purpose of their work: both as documentation and as a means to inspire action towards biodiversity preservation.