L’Inconnu De La Forêt

Pit-Fired Ceramic Installation
2022

For this installation I take raw ceramic slabs and make prints of individual endangered longleaf pine needle trees from an area around Pensacola that is under development. I then pit fire the pieces with collected fallen debris from storms in the longleaf pine ecosystem to help with the prescribed burn process. All of these trees will end up being cut down. The title references "L'Inconnue de la Seine" and the tradition of a death mask as a memento of the deceased. The resulting prints and process of firing leave a haunting impression.

Pensacola has a long and important history connected to longleaf pine needle trees. This area was heavily logged and had a thriving turpentine industry. The town was practically built with pine trees. Due to this deforestation and overharvesting, only about 3% of the original longleaf pine forest remains. However, efforts are being made to restore longleaf pine ecosystems to within their natural range. More than 30 endangered and threatened species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers and indigo snakes, rely on longleaf pines for their habitat. Additionally, these trees are more resilient to the negative impacts of climate change than other southeastern pines. They can withstand severe windstorms, resist pests, tolerate wildfires and drought, and capture carbon pollution from the atmosphere. A number of nonprofits, government agencies, and private landowners are collaborating to restore longleaf pine forests.