Marien ONeill's "What's Left Behind"

Artist Statement

"What's Left Behind." is inspired by the question, "How will you leave your mark on our earth?" I created this painting to depict our physical footprint as humans on this earth, which sadly involves a lot of trash. The United States is the biggest contributor to municipal solid waste and generates around 268 million tons every year. This garbage continues to wash up on the shores of land everywhere. Unfortunately, most of the trash that ends up in the ocean becomes consumed by marine life or resides in the ocean for decades due to our use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which will never decompose. The scary result of our impact on this planet will end in chaos if we do not act soon to change our ways. I chose the background of this painting to resemble a fire to emphasize not only the earth's warming in temperature but to suggest the irreversible effects on our environment and society. The additional scrapings of oil paint both represent pieces of trash and embers of fires.

Materials Used

Oil Paint

Graeme Kennedyfinalist