Pantry Pests

From nature originates all life; the smallest creatures with antennae to humanity have been birthed from bushes and raised with fruit in their hands. Mother Earth provides safety and materials to grow and connect with one another, yet, the disconnect between nature and humanity grows by the day. As we industrialize our lives and pave over forests for office buildings, we forget our roots as beasts and ostracize the gifts given to us. My ceramics collection “Pantry Pests” aims to conceptualize the fear of nature within our homes and remind us of the environment’s functionality.

As an artist I’ve always drawn inspiration from nature. Patterns exist all around us naturally, and one of my favorite places to find them has always been insects. Bees, beetles, moths and ants all display significant adaptive designs and a form of natural symmetry that fascinates me. That being said, bugs are also some of the most despised species to the modern man, as they resemble filth and disease to most. They exist in a world between beauty and disgust, and my series aims to explore this through the combination of insectile design and culinary function. No one wants to find bugs within their kitchen, it insinuates a dirty living space, and while hygiene is important, this reflects humanities desire to be removed from their naturalistic origins. My series intentionally places these critters in large proportions within the living space, not as an infestation but as utility, to serve as a reminder of where we came from.