One Family at a Time

Title:  Full Circle

The premise of “Circle” is that everything in the universe is connected. The great African Savannah is disappearing at a rate of 30% a year. In this piece, the man is patiently watching his world disappear. Where will he go and what will happen to his daughter, Shamsi? Will he have to give up the little herd he has worked so hard to increase?

We, as a species, still have not learned the lessons of the past. Civilizations have disappeared because of poor stewardship of the resources we hold in trust.

As an example, there is evidence that the 1700-year-old Mayan civilization in Guatemala collapsed due to soil degradation caused by cutting all the trees on the slopes. The same process is at work in many parts of the world today: trees are cut down exposing the soil to erosion by wind and rain, and salt content increases due to water logging, industrial waste, or excess chemical use.

Deserts around the world are increasing at an alarming rate. Practices such as paving and flooding fertile land results in less and less land available for agricultural use. We live in a global community. Let us all be teachers and learners on this incredible journey of our, “Circle”.

Reference: Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN:  How Soil is Destroyed

Dimensions: 28"W x 22"H >

Artist:   Phaedon Tingley