Botanical series
For Schafer, these works hold two somewhat conflicting ideas simultaneously. On one hand, they celebrate the sheer beauty of nature, even in flowers that have been cultivated by humans. On the other hand, they question the limits of science and our tendency to impose our own ideas and desires on the complex, beautiful, and fragile natural world.
Through the use of botanical imagery as an allegory for the natural world, Schafer's works convey the story of exploitative, extractive, and destructive practices that result from human beings considering themselves superior and separate from the rest of nature. With lines representing human intervention, these artworks give form to the damage caused by our actions and remind us of the need for greater respect and care for the environment.
For Schafer, these works hold two somewhat conflicting ideas simultaneously. On one hand, they celebrate the sheer beauty of nature, even in flowers that have been cultivated by humans. On the other hand, they question the limits of science and our tendency to impose our own ideas and desires on the complex, beautiful, and fragile natural world.
Through the use of botanical imagery as an allegory for the natural world, Schafer's works convey the story of exploitative, extractive, and destructive practices that result from human beings considering themselves superior and separate from the rest of nature. With lines representing human intervention, these artworks give form to the damage caused by our actions and remind us of the need for greater respect and care for the environment.
Botanical paintings on paper
Like the Botanical oil paintings, these original watercolors are a contemplation about our drive to impose human ideas and desires upon the complexity, beauty and fragility of nature.
Like the Botanical oil paintings, these original watercolors are a contemplation about our drive to impose human ideas and desires upon the complexity, beauty and fragility of nature.