By Colter Ruland
Amanda McCauley is a mixed media artist whose work is made entirely of flora (often foraged) that she presses and preserves in encaustics. The whimsy and intricacy of seeing petals, leaves, sea sponges, you name it, transformed into what she calls “botanical collage” is nothing short of splendor. I wanted to know what she thought about COVID-19 and the state of the world, especially, as we’re cooped up inside our homes, because she reminds us that the natural world (and a sense of humor) can assuage our deepest doubts.
The COVID-19 outbreak is on everyone’s minds. What role do you think you have as an artist when everyone seems to be panicking about events beyond our control?
When facing a pandemic, I think everything else in life takes a backseat. My primary role is not as an artist, but as a human being. It’s important that we are all hyper-vigilant about following the guidelines from the WHO and CDC. We can do this with a sense of calm, caring for ourselves and others, and knowing we are all in this together. We can take this seriously and not be complacent. We can remind each other, by example, of our best humanity, so we can find a way forward together. Oh, and health care for all!
Has the outbreak presented any specific challenges for you and your work? If so, what are they and what can be done to create art in a time such as this?
On a positive note, the outbreak has freed up more time and focus to do what we do: make art. As artists, we spend so much time in isolation and hours on end working alone. Sometimes days go by, and I haven’t left the house. So in that sense, COVID, what? Ok, I better go and wash my hands again, and you should too!
During times of national emergency, some might wonder about the relevancy of art in their lives. What do you think that role should be?
In times of emergency, or on any regular day, I turn to art for healing and inspiration. For ideas and hope. For discourse and tough questions. For that indefinable thing inside us all that moves us. Whether we’re looking at a piece about love, war, racism, sex, nature, food, the plague, or something that is just plain confusing, if we are moved in any way, we are reminded we are human. And to me that’s what creativity is about. I think it was Jerry Saltz who said, “being creative is the definition of being alive.”
For more, visit her website here and be sure to follow her on Instagram @amandasmccauley
William the Bull
Push-Pop!
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