Estelle Gautier is a South African Artist with a vision to bring about transformational change through her thought-provoking climate change art. Every art study is intentional or reflects a deep-seated care or cause of the artist. Her portrait of Archbishop Emeritus Demond Tutu was exhibited at the Zeitz Museum for two year under the title : Tutu is Not For Sale.
She is a PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town with a research focus on Climate Change Adaptation. Estelle’s concerns about the well-being of planet Earth is evident in her art. Her mission is to inspire reflection on the devastating effects of our behaviour as humans on the natural environment. She envisions that through her art, she can raise awareness and plant the seed for change. She plans to donate the proceeds from the sale of her limited copies of the Anthropocene series to a non-profit organisation. The only requirement is that the proceeds reach vulnerable communities most affected climate change.
Proceeds of sale of the art copies go to towards “The Adaptation Network” supported by the African Climate Development Initiative. View website
The art of the Anthropocene
First series: Stages of Grief
Denial
This first painting “Denial”, depicts the evolution of earth up until the human footprint influenced Earths bio-geophysical composition
Anger and Guilt
“Anger” depicts the second stage of grief as nature becomes aware that the earth is being destroyed by humans. The bird symbolizes the blame game vident in society which in turn perpetuates denial that climate change is real and reversable.
Bargaining
“Bargaining” is the third stage of grief during which the dying being searches for a measure of control over an illness.
The uprooted tree, a bristlecone pine tree named Methuselah , is one of the oldest trees alive in the world ( 4,856 years old). This painting leaves room for many
interpretations and questions such as: What if bargaining fails ?
Depression
“Bereavement” is the fourth stage whereby there is acceptance that avoidance and
bargaining attempts have been futile. Reality starts setting in and the feeling of sadness
seems endless. The focus of grief shifts from human to animal and shows that not only humans experience grief, but also nature. The artist hopes to evoke the sadness she feels and to awaken those who are living in denial that acceleration of climate change and the threat it poses to natural and human
systems is real.
Acceptance
The fifth stage of grief depicts acceptance of the reality and disastrous effects of climate change. It is through acceptance that action towards
climate change mitigation and adaptation becomes a possibility. The struggle between
accepting and at the same time mitigating carbon
emissions, is represented in this art.
Finding Meaning
Finding meaning is the last stage of grief and could mean closure, learning and hope. The human being with water wings becomes the symbolic bird and the clarity of the water and rainbow symbolises hope, but also the start of a new uncertain reality…
Second Series: Finding meaning
Migration
Migration: is the first painting of the second climate change series. It symbolizes one of the adaptations to the effects of climate change. Conflict over scarce water resources and the devastating effects of fire and drought drive animals towards green pastures. The relief of cool, soothing water and availability of food is tangible. But what if those green pastures no longer exists with nowhere to go for relief?