Amy Myrick

Amy Myrick, Department of Sociology

Bouquet, August 2008

Paint on Packing Paper, 2.5’ x 5.5’

Artist's Statement:

This piece tries to show how nature's adaptations to the urban world can be upsetting, even revolting, and yet beautiful at the same time. The city forces organisms into new habits: rats living off dumpsters, pigeons swarming park benches, squirrels eating chicken bones. Although these things disgust me, I'm also moved by nature's ability to adapt to unnnatural circumstances. There is beauty in the resulting perversities; that was the inspiration for this piece, which reconfigures urban pests into one of nature's loveliest forms.

Jurors’ Comments:

"This work shows that the intrusive adaptations some pests have evolved are still part of the same mechanism that evolved a beautiful flower. Although people do not like rats and roaches living in their houses, they should realize the beauty of nature for them to evolve as such; it’s a wonderfully inclusive way to show evolution."

"Go ahead – get lost in the minutiae. You will find it isn’t what you expected."

"A very creative and personal work of art. A fresh point of view, honoring one of Darwin's most meaningful messages."

"A blossoming flower made from its antithesis – bones, bugs and decay. A nice metaphor for life and its many forms."

"Sprawling, fun."