Forest
Zoe Keller's graphite drawings on paper are both intensely intricate and thoroughly researched. Keller last showcased her work at Antler Gallery in 2016, two pieces from the series "Fourty-four" were added to the permanent collection of the National Museum of Wildlife art. Keller's latest solo show, ‘Forest’, is inspired by the flora and fauna of the Klamath-Siskiyou region of Oregon and California.
The two pieces which make up the show's central diptych, ‘Old Growth’ and ‘Postfire,’ focus on vital points in the life-cycle of Klamath-Siskiyou forests: mature old-growth, and complex early seral, the stage of forest life that follows a disturbance like wildfire. By highlighting the fascinating and at-risk species that are dependent upon these stages of forest development, these two pieces underscore the importance of protecting forests at every stage of growth. Additional pieces in ‘Forest’ celebrate the region’s biodiversity and reflect upon the artist’s personal experiences in the region.
Notes and photographs that inspired ‘Forest’ were gathered during Signal Fire’s Wide Open Studios Klamath National Forest trip in the summer of 2017.
Special thanks to Jeanine Moy for providing valuable insight during the drafting of these works and to John Villella for sharing knowledge about flora and lichens.
