Celestial Guidance (February 2019)
Mary Iverson, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 1132 Lower Main St., Wailuku
Mary Iverson, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 1132 Lower Main St., Wailuku
Artist statement: “My mural is meant to inspire us to find a balance between technology and nature. The design portrays the observatory atop Haleakalā next to the Polynesian navigation compass. Both entities help us look to the stars and ponder our position in the universe, but each represents a very different perspective; modern tools on one side, ancient wisdom on the other. We have made so many technological advances but we’ve lost our connection to nature, resulting in a world in peril.
Our wasteful practices have brought many animals to the brink of extinction, especially those who rely on healthy oceans to survive. The fate of the albatross is especially sad; many birds are dying from ingesting pieces of plastic, which is estimated to become more abundant than fish in our oceans by mid century.
Although the situation is dire, there are actions we can take to reduce our impact on the oceans moving forward: avoid single-use plastics, support businesses that use compostable materials, use a refillable water bottle, secure your trash, and participate in a beach clean up.
Find the ocean conservation organization nearest to you and check in with them - there are so many great people out there making a difference that can use our help! Thank you for following my work and for keeping @pangeaseed and @seawalls_ in your sights.”
PHOTOS: Tre' Packard
Our wasteful practices have brought many animals to the brink of extinction, especially those who rely on healthy oceans to survive. The fate of the albatross is especially sad; many birds are dying from ingesting pieces of plastic, which is estimated to become more abundant than fish in our oceans by mid century.
Although the situation is dire, there are actions we can take to reduce our impact on the oceans moving forward: avoid single-use plastics, support businesses that use compostable materials, use a refillable water bottle, secure your trash, and participate in a beach clean up.
Find the ocean conservation organization nearest to you and check in with them - there are so many great people out there making a difference that can use our help! Thank you for following my work and for keeping @pangeaseed and @seawalls_ in your sights.”
PHOTOS: Tre' Packard
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About the Artist: Mary Iverson is a painter and a public artist. Her paintings explore the balance between the natural world and industrial activities, inspiring conversations about the causes and consequences of climate change. In 2015, her work was featured in Foreign Policy Magazine, Huffington Post, and The Boston Review. In August, she was the cover artist for Juxtapoz Magazine. Her work is represented by galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Germany. Her most recent mural was part of the Shop Small Mural Program sponsored by American Express and curated by Juxtapoz Magazine. Mary teaches visual art at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington, where she is a tenured faculty member. WEBSITE
About PangeaSeed: PangeaSeed is an international collective of artists and activists whose mission is to harnesses the power of art, science, and creativity to generate awareness and effect positive change surrounding global ocean environmental issues. Their February 2019 “Mauka to Makai" proposal to SMALL TOWN * BIG ART brought together 19 artists from around the world to address some of today's most pressing issues affecting our marine and freshwater resources through large-scale, purpose-driven public art. PangeaSeed's 2019 SMALL TOWN * BIG ART Artists: Lauren Brevner | Joey Rose & Alex Underwood | Gregg Kaplan | Kai Kaulukukui | Dulk | Cory Kamehanaokalā | E.H.A. | Mary Iverson | Ben Johnston | Wooden Wave | BirdO | Gavin Murai | Getso | Cracked Ink | Techs Learn More: SMALL TOWN * BIG ART Welcomes PangeaSeed Foundation to Wailuku Town (1/24/19) | Team of Artists to Paint Murals Throughout Wailuku and Central Maui (1/25/19) (1/27/19) | Proof of Concept (1/31/19) | Six Months In! SMALL TOWN * BIG ART (5/23/19) |