July 8-August 6, 2012

Emerald Ash Borer © 2010 Emily Bryant. Pressed invasive plant collage on sustainable bamboo paper.

Emily Bryant was born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio. Drawing animals from a young age, her fascination with wildlife led her to pursue degrees in Sustainability and Studio Art with a Biology minor. While completing her education at Baldwin-Wallace College, Bryant began to explore how sustainability could be incorporated into art. Utilizing sustainable materials to produce art with environmental messages, such as the impact of native and invasive species in local ecosystems, she hopes to inspire others to explore and conserve the natural world.

Using pressed specimens of invasive plant material, Bryant creates stunning collages that represent some of America’s most invasive insect species. Thus, her work simultaneously provides invasive species control by removing invasive plants from wild places and creates artworks that educate the public about the threats associated with invasive insects. All of her work is mounted to sustainably-produced archival bamboo papers using natural plant-based glues.

Bryant’s series of nature photographs utilize a digital form of collage that complement her invasive species series by depicting what are often considered fragile native species and ecosystems that can be disrupted by invasives. A celebration of the natives of her home state of Ohio and her current home in Texas, Bryant’s photographs are rich in both color and biodiversity.

An interview with Emily Bryant about her work (ECO Art + Science Series: The Sustainable Art of Emily Bryant) was published in March 2012 on the biocreativity blog. Many of the original artworks featured in this interview will be on display as Art.Science.Gallery. and the South Corridor Gallery @ First Presbyterian Church co-present the artists work.

Please contact the gallery for availability and pricing.