Porcelain Art - Human and NatureDaphne

Since 32,000 years ago – the oldest known painting about the human and nature was found, this age-old relationship has been portrayed in many forms: from the early man’s crude cave sketches, to renderings of nature as deified, admonished, revered, and feared–all in the vivid mediums and from the finest masters. Today, we will present you with a collection of from American artist Kate Macdowell, who presents dead and decaying animals with anthropomorphic features – blurring the difference between man and nature in a state of destruction. Her choice to craft the pieces from porcelain helps adds a sense of fragility to the subjects – building a solid form and then hollowing it out.

Porcelain Art - Human and Natureuprooted

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureMice and Men

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureBreaking

In her work this romantic ideal of union with the natural world conflicts with our contemporary impact on the environment. These pieces are in part responses to environmental stress including climate change, toxic pollution, and gm crops. In each case the union between man and nature is shown to be one of friction and discomfort with the disturbing implication that we too are vulnerable to being victimized by our destructive practices.

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureCuckoo

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureBad seed

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureCasualty

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureIcarus

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureInvasive Flora

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureCross-pollination

Porcelain Art - Human and NatureVenus

If you like her work, click here to see her portfolio.

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