Jill’s work investigates the insect world, and looks at environmental changes and the effects on insect populations. Issues of drought affecting western forests are explored through her presentation of bark beetles and forest ecology.
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Humans often have an adverse relationship to insects. This pieces explores that phenomenon.It is part of a series on drought, climate change, and how it affects forests and insects. -
Two art pieces related to issues of drought and water resources © Jill PowersWater - A Precious Earthly Fluid
In times of drought, we see more clearly how water is elemental to all life. With enough moisture the trees are healthier and can defend themselves better against insects. Kozo bark fiber, waxed linen thread, iron
Water - A Controlled Substance
Even in times of relative abundance, the natural flow of water is impeded and controlled, divided, sold, and fought over by humankind. Drought makes our decisions about how water will be shared even more difficult.
38” x 19” Kozo bark fiber, waxed linen thread, iron -
Insect Stories © Jill PowersThis piece speaks about human interactions with insects. The Western forests have been dramatically altered by bark beetles. Conversations about insects, drought, and climate change move our understanding forward.
Kozo bark fiber, pine needles, bark fiber, hand cooked, manipulated, cast, painted, other natural materials 11” x 12” x 12” (each) -
The Small Winged Life, Indigo Salt Insects- detail © Jill PowersIt is part of a series on drought, climate change, and how it affects forests and insects. -
Color in a Changing Forest © Jill PowersAs the planet warms, and the beetles beseige the trees, our western forests go through dramatic changes. As humans, we rely on the traditional visual beauty and color of the forests, and will have to adapt to the changes to come.
20” x 60” Kozo bark fiber, waxed linen thread -
The Small Winged Life (detail) © Jill PowersIt is part of a series on drought, climate change, and how it affects forests and insects. -
CoEvolution © Jill Powers"As temperature zones have shifted...insects are shifting with them. Swift, numerous, and astonishingly adaptive...they have taken advantage of new conditions and newly expanded habitat ranges. Confronted by regional increases in winter and summer temperatures, decreases in precipitation, and the reduction in the duration of freezes, plants and insects have fallen out of step despite having co-evolved for millennia. The insects adapt at a rate far more rapid than the trees.“
[H.Raffles, Insectopedia 2010]
22” x 52” Kozo bark fiber, handmade kozo paper, seed pods, bamboo, window screen -
The Small Winged Life (detail) © Jill PowersIt is part of a series on drought, climate change, and how it affects forests and insects. -
Blue Stain Surprises © Jill PowersWall piece with cross sections of blue stain wood and kozo work inspired by the blue stain patterns.
The Mountain Pine Beetle brings a blue stain fungi into the tree, which spreads and makes patterns of blue in the rings. These trees are now used for building beautiful furniture and architectural elements.
Blue stain wood, kozo bark fiber, 8’ x 6’ -
The Small Winged Life Moltings- detail © Jill PowersIt is part of a series on drought, climate change, and how it affects forests and insects. -
The Small Winged Life (detail) © Jill Powers -
Mysteries © Jill PowersThere are so many things we don't yet understand about the natural world. -
Human contact with insects raises questions… © Jill PowersClose Contact
Bark Fiber, hand cooked, cast, Indigo Baptisia pod, gut, salt
3” x 4.25” x 9.5”
Trusting
Bark Fiber, hand cooked, cast, dried okra pod
4” x 9” x 20”
A Child’s Delight
Bark Fiber, hand cooked, cast, other natural materials
2.5” x 6” x 3.5” -
The Small Winged Life © Jill PowersWall of 200 abstract insects pinned with entomology pins, made from natural materials
"Insects are the little things that run the world."
Biologist E.O. Wilson
Are we aware of the delicate ecosystems that make life on earth viable for all of us?
"The vast majority of insects are inconsequential to our personal lives, but of critical importance to humanity as a whole. Our planet's essential functions would surely collapse without them."
-Entomologist, K. Kaufman
200 objects, approx 8’ x 6‘. Kozo bark fiber, seed pods, encaustics, gut, beeswax -
Xylem and Phloem (detail) © Jill PowersThis piece was inspired by the patterns the bark beetles carve underneath the outer bark. -
Xylem and Phloem © Jill PowersLong panels with painted patterns inspired by bark beetle channel patterns among the xylem and phloem of the tree structure.
Kozo bark fiber 10’ x 6’ -
Bark Beetle Forest © Jill PowersThe story of the bark beetles in western forests is visible in the trees themselves. Underneath the bark, the beetles engrave their channels and lay eggs. They eat through the inner bark, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients to the tree.
Large Installation piece, with sound and videos, tree bark slab cuts showing evidence of the bark beetle activity. The piece uses a recording of beetle sounds inside the tree, recorded and layered by David Dunn. The videos combine Jeff Mitton’s photographs and footage from Christina Choate
20’ x 10’ -
The Small Winged Life © Jill PowersWall of 200 abstract insects pinned with entomology pins, made from natural materials
"Insects are the little things that run the world."
Biologist E.O. Wilson
Are we aware of the delicate ecosystems that make life on earth viable for all of us?
"The vast majority of insects are inconsequential to our personal lives, but of critical importance to humanity as a whole. Our planet's essential functions would surely collapse without them."
-Entomologist, K. Kaufman
200 objects, approx 8’ x 6‘. Kozo bark fiber, seed pods, encaustics, gut, beeswax -
Requiem for the Forest © Jill PowersThis piece addresses our human response to the loss of the forests as we know them.
As climate change continues to progress, and our drought stricken forests cannot defend themselves from beetle attacks, the landscapes are changing forever. I feel the loss of trees in these vast forests, and all the creatures dependent on them.
12’ x 9’ x 3’
