Art of Warning

Art of Witness

Mary Ciani

Artist Statement

 I draw and paint an Art of Warning and Witness for people who care about the Earth, to represent their fears. 

 A decade ago I abandoned the painting of lives lived in time – the usual art subject of humans. I changed focus to the life of the planet and our poisoned relationship with it.

We face a bitter truth: the Industrial Revolution brought comfort and wealth for us, but the continuing burning of oil creates an invisible blanket that wraps the earth, bringing hellish summers, drought, fire, melting glaciers, and huge storms fed by heat.

Perhaps the Earth will survive this unceasing attack, but we may not. 

The view from my studio is of doves and cardinals, a pond and bamboo forest – but I see only deluge, oil, blood, and fire.

Deluge, Black Oil, Snowmelt, Shattering Rock, 4’ x 12’ Polyptych of four 4’ x 3’ canvases, Golden paints, 2020-2024