Kendall Hutchinson - 2022

Artist Statement

One of the things I struggle with the most, while coming to terms with my own realizations about human-caused climate change, is an ideological barrier that exists between me and nearly all of those I love. I find myself in a strange position, because this Wall is new. Or rather, my place on its outer side is. 

The barrier is porous, however. Tiny holes, as small as the eye of a needle. I have found that the Wall is multi-faceted, and rooted in many systems and paradigms; as are my thoughts. Thoughts that now separate Me from Them. It has become apparent that trying to reach Them by shoving a camel-sized web of a system through these small pores has a reductive effect on the communication, rendering it nearly useless. A by-product of this seems to be that the information is now stuck, a plug difficult to extricate, strengthening the Wall.

The inspiration for this piece came out of experiences with this dilemma. I have realized the inefficiency of trying to convince those close to me about the realities and history of the climate crisis. I now try to dismantle Me and Them, in favor of Us. Therefore, my effort with this piece, titled Salvator Mundi(?), is to ask that we simply examine our riches.  

Salvator Mundi(?) is a mixed media piece. A clean, white, plaster casting of the artist’s hand is presented in the Sign of the Cross, contrasting with an IV needle carrying dark liquid inserted at a severe angle into the back of the hand. The fluid in the collection bag is used transmission fluid from the artist’s car.