Grace Sanford's "The Life Of Water"

Grace Sanford (Freeport, Maine) explores the intrinsic connection between humans and local water in The Life Of Water. “Many communities are finding themselves suddenly without safe water which they once took for granted, and many lives have been lost due to lack of access to this fundamental need,” states Sanford. “Life as we understand it cannot be separated from water. All life is aquatic, and our form is defined by our water.”

“This painting discusses the intrinsic connection between humans and local water. As a result of anthropogenic climate change, we see the destruction of safe water sources in many communities. Pollution makes water unusable to life, and changing weather patterns are causing places which once had water to dry up. Many communities are finding themselves suddenly without safe water which they once took for granted, and many lives have been lost due to lack of access to this fundamental need. Life as we understand it cannot be separated from water. All life is aquatic, and our form is defined by our water.

I consider the interconnectedness of human and landscape, and how survival is only obtainable through mutual cooperation. I emphasize the point that we can lead with love and intentional caring for our ecosystems. In this practice, I focus on themes of self-protection, community care, and the idea of person and landscape. This painting depicts the human body as a part of a water source, and considers how one cannot survive or exist without the other.”