Date of Submission

5-5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Advisor

Joseph Smolinski

Keywords

nature appreciation, art appreciation, environmentalism, visual arts, landscape

LCSH

landscape painting, art appreciation, nature, environmentalism, art

Abstract

Visual art and societal attitudes are deeply interconnected, and cultural movements are often synonymous with thematic and stylistic changes within the world of art. By observing artworks that have been inspired by the environment, and assessing the extent to which artists connect to their environmnet through their artwork, it is easier to understand the ways in which art has fostered an appreciation for nature, and how nature has inspired countless artists throughout history. With the ever-changing state of our climate and a societal disregard for the materialist and capitalist structures that are at the root of environmental neglect, it is imperative to look towards the arts and other creative outlets for insight on how to move forward in addressing these issues. Whether it be to cope with the ways in which society has failed them, or to create space for the voices and perspectives that would otherwise go unheard, visual artists have been continually resilient in the face of both personal and interpersonal conflict. By reflecting an appreciation for landscape and acknowledging the countless ways in which environment shapes personal identity, the artwork that has emerged from this project builds upon the tradition of fostering an appreciation of nature through art. These paintings, collectively titled Nature and Identity, resemble a love letter to the environment that has shaped me and the profound impact that natural subjects have had on my development as both an artist and a person.

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