Alexis Rockman’s upcoming exhibition, “Feedback Loop,” at the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York, showcases his profound concern for the environment through his striking paintings. The series, titled Conflagration, captures the devastating effects of climate change with thick, gestural strokes that depict raging forest fires and smoke-filled skies. In one painting, titled “Rio Tigre,” a tiny figure in a canoe stands amidst the destruction, highlighting the scale of the catastrophe.
Rockman, known for his environmental activism through art, presents a visual timeline of his reflections on a changing climate in Feedback Loop. The exhibition features watercolors and panoramic scenes that he has created over nearly five decades, emphasizing the urgency of the current environmental crisis. Through his use of oil paint and cold wax on wood, Rockman brings a tactile quality to his work, inviting viewers to consider the impact of human actions on the natural world.
The artist’s choice to focus on specific locations, such as South America’s Rio Pastaza and Lake Athabasca, adds a personal and urgent dimension to his paintings. By drawing attention to real places facing environmental challenges, Rockman underscores the need for immediate action to address climate change. The recurring motifs of fire and smoke in his work serve as a universal symbol of imbalance and destruction, reflecting the dire consequences of our inaction.
In Feedback Loop, Rockman explores the concept of feedback loops, suggesting that we are caught in a downward spiral of environmental degradation. The paintings convey a sense of helplessness in the face of escalating disasters, with tiny figures and animals overwhelmed by the destructive forces of nature. Through his art, Rockman challenges viewers to confront the reality of climate change and consider the consequences of our collective actions.
“Feedback Loop” will be on display at the Jack Shainman Gallery from January 15 to February 28. To learn more about Alexis Rockman and his work, visit his website. Immerse yourself in the eerie and powerful paintings of a world on the brink of environmental collapse, and reflect on the urgent need for change in the face of climate crisis.
