Shifting Lands

This exhibition is a visual art series by Frisbie-Calder that examines the ecosystems of the Gulf South, particularly Louisiana and Mississippi. Frisbie-Calder first photographs formations of leaves, migratory birds, and other flora. Using the photographs as a reference she draws the species, then uses a variety of printmaking techniques to create a “library” of printed images. She pulls from this library to collage together hundreds of pieces of an ecosystem, which are assembled in a quilt-like fashion. This method allows Frisbie-Calder to reimagine southern ecosystems in a playful and expressive form.

The series explores the concept of shifting baselines, which is the change in our understanding and expectations of the natural world over time. Each successive generation that becomes accustomed to environmental degradation and the decreased abundance of wildlife is less aware of the magnitude of what has been lost. We acclimate to absence. We don’t know what we are missing. By combining native and introduced species, Shifting Lands reflects on the compromised yet still beautiful natural environment of the Gulf South, and raises questions about the future of these eroding landscapes.

Frisbie-Calder often collaborates with biologists, combining years of their research with her own experiences. The integration of biology with art results in species specific visuals that help demystify scientific information. Many of her collaborators are listed in the acknowledgements.