Thinking Like a Mountain
Steven L. Anderson: Thinking Like a Mountain, Gallery 1740, Atlanta, GA, August 26–October 22, 2022
Patterns of paint, collaged burlap, and layered fabric form tactile grounds over panel and canvas. These are punctuated by stenciled fern and leaf shapes, appliquéd mirrors, and representations of other visual cues seen while hiking in the wilderness. Lines drawn with paint and rope connect the dots into constellations, which act as symbols of an ineffable experience—that feeling of being in the woods.
The phrase “thinking like a mountain” connects these artworks to the writings of naturalist Aldo Leopold, and to the pre-battle meditations & rituals of ecowarriors of the late 20th century. It describes a change in perspective in which humans are but one part of our ecosystem, and hints at a larger, earthly consciousness.
“EcoBreath Workshop,” 2022, spray paint, wood stain, paracord, notions, acrylic mirror, burlap on panel, 60in. x 60in.
“The Tree that Owns Itself,” 2022, spray paint, ink, paracord, notions, ripstop nylon, burlap on panel, 30in. x 24in.
“Heliocentric,” 2022, spray paint, mirror, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 24in. x 18in.
“Intrenchment Creek,” 2022, spray paint, ink, wood stain, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 72in. x 40in.
“The Crack Between Two Worlds,” 2022, marker, pen, acrylic, ink, burlap on panel, 50in. x 36in.
“My Beautiful Concern,” 2022, ink, laser transfer, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 24in. x 18in.
“Thinking Like a Mountain #1,” 2017, paracord, mirrors, spray paint, wax, pine sap, burlap, latex paint on panel, 64in. x 47.5in.
“Thinking Like a Mountain #2,” 2017, paracord, mirrors, spray paint, wax, tiger balm ointment, burlap, latex paint on panel, 64in. x 47.5in.
“The Holy Mountains,” 2022, spray paint, ink, wood stain, jute twine, notions, burlap on panel, 72in. x 40in.
“Meditation Retreat,” 2022, spray paint, paracord, ripstop nylon, notions on panel, 50in. x 36in.
Please Pleiades, 2022, spray paint, ink, wood stain, garden twine, paracord, thread, mirrors, notions, burlap on panel, 50in. x 36in.
“Louisiana Mushroom Hunt,” 2022, acrylic, spray paint, ink, paracord, notions, plywood, ripstop nylon, burlap on panel, 72in. x 40in.
“Loving Like a Mountain #2,” 2022, spray paint, ink, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 50in. x 36in.
“Look and Feel,” 2022, spray paint, wood stain, notions, paracord, burlap on panel, 72in. x 40in.
“Superfine Forces,” 2022, spray paint, ink, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 50in. x 36in.
“Leave Room for Nature—Leave Room for Nature,” 2022, spray paint, ink, laser transfer, paracord, notions, raw muslin, burlap on panel, 72in. x 40in.
“Fellow Travelers,” 2022, ink, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 24in. x 18in.
“Forest Cadency,” 2022, spray paint, wood stain, paracord, notions, burlap on panel, 24in. x 18in.
“Loving Like a Mountain,” 2022, acrylic, marker, transfer medium on paper and burlap, 14in. x 10.75in.
“Fern Fantasy,” 2017, spray paint, paradors, mirrors, burlap on panel, 8in. x 8in.