Factree Susan Salter

from Wax Fusion - Fall, Issue IX: 2023

Vanishing I

Jurors Award

This work is created on the inside cover of an old book I have kept in my stash of ephemera for several years. I held onto these items really not knowing how I would use them, but knew that someday it would be revealed. This encaustic diptych includes encaustic, image transfer, rust, and powdered pigment. The image in black and white is a concrete and steel beam holding up the roof of a factory.

Since books and their pages are made from tree pulp, I chose to add the image of redwood trees in encaustic over the image of the factory. Our redwood forests are being threatened by industries such as residential development and conversion to vineyards. Other threats include climate change and humans’ lack of concern for nature. I hope to call attention to this tragedy with my work. The deﬁnition we were given of ephemerality as one that is deeply integral to the human experience that is called forth in this work. Walking among the redwoods, these beings that are alive and vital to our environment have given me moments of life and wonder. Hopefully, their existence will continue to be ephemeral and deeply necessary.

You can view Susan’s work at www.susansalterarts.com www.instagram.com/slsalter96 www.facebook.com/slsalter96