Artist Robin Jones has been an advocate of animal rights for a long time but when she saw the 2013 documentary Black Fish, about the controversy over an orca at SeaWorld and the plight of animals in captivity, it catapulted her activism to the next level.
It wasn’t long before her concerns extended beyond the animal kingdom to the environment at large—especially related to the climate crisis.
Ghost of the Mountains, oil, gold and platinum leaf on aluminum panel, 24 x 36"
“Generally, my work comes from that place of environment activism and care for the natural world,” says Jones. “We live in such a hyper-individualistic culture that we easily lose sight of our interconnectedness and how our behavior affects everyone else, and all life on the planet.”
Jones’ oil and metal leaf paintings aim to be a visual reminder of this interconnectedness. She paints mostly young girls and women amid stylized elements of the natural world. During the past year, female youth from other cultures around the world have been a focus of her figurative work.
“I was reading so much about how other places in the world are being disproportionately affected by what’s happening to the climate while contributing less in terms of carbon emissions,” says Jones.
Meditation on the Holocene, oil and gold leaf on aluminum panel, 36 x 24"
Two of her pieces, Ghost of the Mountains and Severance, feature young Tibetan girls surrounded by environmental and political symbolism. The former includes images of the snow leopard and snow lotus with an outline of Mt. Everest in the background, all of which are in danger due to global warming. The other, Severance, reflects Jones’ (a practicing Tibetan Buddhist) widely shared conviction that Tibet should be liberated from China.
Another piece, Meditation on the Holocene,depicts a young girl from Myanmar against a backdrop of butterflies and cherry blossoms, both prevalent in Southeast Asia where extreme climate events are becoming the norm. The title references the climate-stable epoch that has allowed us to thrive since the end of the dinosaur age. Some scientists are arguing that we are now living in the Anthropocene era—defined as one where human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.
Severance, oil and gold leaf on aluminum panel, 30 x 24"
Talk to Me is an example from a new series on trees and forests Jones is exploring after reading Suzanne Simard’s memoir Finding the Mother Tree, in which the forest ecologist shares her discovery of the truly amazing network of exchange beneath the forest floor.
Diversity and inclusivity also play a role in Jones’ choice of subject matter. “It’s really important to me, especially as a white person of privilege from this country,” she says. “If you’re painting the human figure, for me it’s important to represent all humans and not just what I know. I think it’s important that all voices are heard and different narratives are told from my own.”
Talk to Me, oil and gold leaf on aluminum panel, 17½ x 23½"
Choosing to highlight young people is also intentional. “They are the younger generations of today who will inherit the planet we leave them,” says Jones. “I see them as a visual reminder of our responsibility for those who will come after us.” Jones also finds great inspiration—and hope—in the strength and resiliency of the young. “I was trying to figure out a way to have that be the underlying message but also inspire active hope—which is different from being ‘hopeful’. It’s engaging with the world in a way that we’re actively taking steps toward the outcome we want. I hope my art showcases my belief that it’s not too late. I do believe that art can inspire, galvanize and bring awareness while also being aesthetically beautiful.”
Jones’ exhibition Portraits of the Future at Blue Rain Gallery’s Durango, Colorado, location will open with an artist reception on May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. and remain on view through May 17. —
Blue Rain Gallery 934 Main Avenue, Suite B • Durango, CO 81301 (970) 232-2033 • www.blueraingallery.com
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