Currency, Sculpture, 48″ x 52″, 2021

This project began by thinking about money and its role in the environment. The word salary derives from the Latin root “sal” meaning salt. Focusing on an exploration of different kinds of salts – lab grown, mineral, road salt – I created a sculpture in which these methods of growth and decay could be viewed. At what cost is climate change conveniently “too expensive”? Who is ultimately paying for change?

Sponsored by Wisconsin Salt Wise. Salt is a permanent pollutant. All the salt that we apply to pavement in the winter, and our water softeners year-round, ends up in our freshwater. Wisconsin Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations from across the state working together to reduce salt pollution in our lakes, streams and drinking water.

Thank you to Garver Feed Mill, Winter is Alive production team, Blain’s Farm and Fleet and ACRE.

OxBow School of Art, Michigan | www.emoryahall.format.com