(For Remnants of Now)
Through the use of post-apocalyptic world building, Holly’s work touches on the themes of environmental awareness and consumerism. Based in a future where humans have perished, what we leave behind comes into focus. The artwork, shown through an archaeological and museum display lens, gives a glimpse at humanity’s materialistic tendencies through objects, or in this case “artifacts”. These mundane objects, often taken for granted because of their everyday and convenient use, lose their value and purpose once we are not there to utilize them. They outlast us with most of them being made out of materials that can resist degradation for decades if not more. With human absence comes the reclaiming of our creations by nature, a force that we have held back for far too long. Nature will repurpose our tools and knick knacks for vessels or lawn ornaments, rendering their original use void.
By combining three dimensional dioramas and two dimensional paintings, the viewer is faced with the post-human world physically in front of them, removing the option to detach themselves from the information. In comparison to only two dimensional media like news, film and photography, she hopes the combination will hopefully be more impactful through the dioramas’ realistic design with the paintings’ contextual information.
Growing up, Holly watched apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic shows and movies with her dad, as well as developed a love for video games. The main influence of these being the game duology Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) and Horizon Forbidden West (2022) and the television adaptation of The Last of Us (2013). Taking her interest in these mediums and translating them into her artwork has been the main source of inspiration for her 4th year thesis, allowing for the planning of a thematic and narrative connected body of work for the year-end exhibition.