Ruth Whiting's Portfolio

Electric Ecology

Our technological lives produce vast numbers of artifacts. Many of which become obsolete in a very short time. All these relics, once vital to our daily life, end up in drawers and landfills— forgotten as soon as their usefulness is eclipsed. Electric Ecology is an investigation of a mythical afterlife for the forgotten connective tissue of technology. Plugs and cables live on in an imagined realm.

Their mechanical nature is replaced by a more organic interpretation. Coax cables bloom and microchips become scurrying insects. There is no need for distortion as these modern artifacts are modeled by necessity and already have the form of their organic ancestors.

The rich colors and imposing silhouettes are borrowed from the long history of religious art. From early icons to grand historic narratives the same principles have helped artists inspire awe in the viewer. Now those techniques turn the ordinary detritus of our age into something memorable and heroic. This work is about changing our perspective, about noticing that which is all around us.

This series started in 2005 it has been exhibited in various forms and in several galleries over the years. This is a comprehensive web gallery of the remaining pieces.

 

Painting:

Lonely Bird Artist's Edition

Reproductions of Lonely Bird Paintings

Vanguard Fair - Miami 2008

Plug In - 2007

See 120V/60Hz - 2005

also visit this little gallery of small recent work

Kites:

Fire Hydrant

Painted Morphos

Little Serendipities

Big Serendipities

Mantis

Brick Kites

Siren

Sculpture:

Plastic art