The work considers greenhouse gases and in particular CO2 and its imperceptibility to humans across space and time. How to perceive CO2 that is ‘invisible’ to our five senses? ‘Excess’ CO2 will persist in the atmosphere across generations, longer than our memories. CO2 can be temporarily captured from our breath in a bubble, and it can be stored over the very long term in a sequoia tree. What is more relevant when considering climate change – our immediate actions or nature’s long-term adaptability? The work creates a focus on the very short term, natural action of exhaling CO2 in our breath and calls into question the long-term persistence of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Natural and unnatural media and materials are juxtaposed and layered on purpose to highlight what is permanent and what is impermanent. We won’t live as long as some of the unnatural materials used in the work, and it will be left for nature to adapt to what remains. Climate change is complex and it will require an effort to evolve and adapt to it. The work is pitched at a similar level for the viewer
BA (Hons) Fine Art - Canterbury 
Claudia Oakes-Philpot | Fine Art
