60 x 35 x 18 inches
Post-consumer fabrics, stuffing, painted plastic spheres
In collaboration with Jeanne Scherer, UW Madison Division of Extension
Invasive species are species that exist in nature outside of their intended relationships. As outsiders, they are not connected to the ebb and flow that occur naturally in their regions of origin due to predation, leading to their overpopulation. My collaborator, Jeanne, works with aquatic invasive species and the introduction of biocontrol, such as purple loosestrife beetles. Purple loosestrife beetles from the Galerucella sp. represent an answer to this lack of balance. By eating the aquatic invasive purple loosestrife’s leaves, Galerucella sp. beetles act as a form of biocontrol and shift the ecosystem back into balance. Jeanne, and others in the Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership, work to raise Galerucella sp. beetles and release them in areas that have been taken over by Purple Loosestrife.
I decided to aggrandize this special insect rather than the aquatic invasive they eat to bring attention to their power and the solution they represent. By putting the spotlight on the beetle instead of the plant I encourage viewers to support the solutions to environmental degradation that exist. I decided to use fabric to increase the approachability of the piece and therefore the bug itself. As an artist, I often seek out second hand materials to reduce the environmental impact of my own work. This piece is made out of post-consumer sheets and curtains both to conserve and to represent the beetle’s impact when partnered with human influence. By raising these beetles, we have been able to undo some harm wrought by the consequences of human activity.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Astrid graduated spring of 2024 with a BS in Human Development and certificates in Studio Art, Environmental Studies, and Public Policy. She hopes to continue creating art with a focus on the use of post-consumer materials. She encourages people to check out Communication Madison, a volunteer-run space in Madison that sells the work of local artists and hosts events, including workshops and live music. Her art will be appearing in the store soon.
Instagram @dustbunny.art
ABOUT THE WATER PARTNER
As the Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Specialist, Jeanne helps complete the deliverables of the DNR AIS contract with UW-Extension and the Environmental Resources Center. Her work includes delivering outreach programming to a network of AIS Coordinators, developing new AIS programs, and serving on the DNR AIS Team work groups. She is also a Water Resource Management Specialist focused on AIS monitoring with the DNR. A career change in 2009 brought her home to the waters of Wisconsin that she had grown up playing, swimming and fishing in as a child. She has a B.A. in Liberals Arts from Carthage College, a B.S. in Physical/Environmental Geography, minor in Biology from UW-Whitewater and has held teacher certifications in Illinois, California, and Wisconsin. Although she’s spent most of her life in Wisconsin, life’s twists and turns have also landed her in Japan, Washington, California, Illinois and Virginia with many interesting travels along the way.
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