Robert Wilhelm / Unnatural Selection

April 26 - May 18, 2024

Sculpture

Artist Statement:
Many experts believe we are now in the sixth mass extinction, called the Holocene extinction. Unlike in previous extinction events, this one is entirely caused by humankind, primarily through the overuse of land and water, the accelerated destruction of habitat, and pollution of the environment. Alarmingly, the present rate of extinction is between 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural extinction rate. Biodiversity is critically necessary for the health and well-being of humanity and all life on earth. With the loss of each species, the entire ecosystem is being slowly degraded. While many species of flora and fauna adapt, many others do not. From the local to the global, our ecosystems are interconnected.


Nature will survive humankind. But as human beings continue to evolve technologically, while struggling to take the health of the planet's ecosystems seriously, what kind of transformations might take place? How will flora and fauna evolve?


Is it possible that nature might at some point incorporate some of today's technologies to aid its own survival amid the carelessness of humankind? Could the plant and animal world ever merge as a result of ongoing scientific and genetic inventions? Could flora and fauna ever converge, in the face of our relentless quests to dominate, extract, and profit from nature? Could nature ever become a conscious adversary to humankind?


In my recent work, I have begun to explore how nature might protect or defend itself from the devastating effects of human beings through the convergence of different species of plants and animals, as well as manmade materials and technologies.

Biography:
Robert Wilhelm is an artist living and working in Santa Fe, NM who enjoys working in both the fine art and product design worlds. He received his BFA from the University of Michigan's School of Art in 1977, with a concentration in both sculpture and printmaking, and has won numerous awards in both fields as well as being awarded a U.S. Patent for one of his product designs. Additionally, he was recognized by the "Academy of Television Arts and Sciences" for his contribution to Michael Moore's Emmy Award winning series "TV NATION."

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