Rebecca Cox

Environmental Science major, Studio Art minor

In my recent work, I explore how artmaking relates to the environment: how do the materials and methods I use become a part of a piece's meaning? How does a piece linger or break down over time? How can art be an effective commentary on environmental issues? Greatly influenced by my time conducting environmental research at sea, where I witnessed the inflitration of artificial materials into the natural environment, I consider the unseen environmental footprint of my own artistic practice and am motivated by plastic trash found in my own local environment.

Plastic Bag

marble

Jewett Hallway Galleries

white marble sculpture of a crumpled plastic bag on a black pedestal in front of a gray fabric wall

In using a traditional method of art-making-- marble carving-- to recreate a relatively modern commodity-- the plastic bag-- I explore questions of permanence and disposability. The slow, intensely physical, and occasionally painful process of stone carving is put in conversation with an everyday item that is not deeply considered. Marble sculptures have lasted for millenia; how long does a plastic bag itself last? I invite the viewer to consider the lifespan and future impacts of the human marks we are making on the world, whether through our artwork or through our quotidian consumption.

top down view of a white marble sculpture of a crumpled plastic bag on a black pedestal
side on view of a white marble sculpture of a crumpled plastic bag on a black pedestal in front of a gray fabric wall

Sea Two One

screenprint and linocut on paper, mixed media

Jewett Hallway Galleries

handmade artist's book with blue and orange prints, cover made of bubblewrap

Inspired by both my time at sea and my years working at an independent bookstore, I provide in a children's book format a snapshot of our ocean of the future. Through simple writing and imagery, I aim to make the issue of ocean pollution apparent and accessible to all as the reader comes to their own realization about the message of the book. Featuring only pollution that I actually witnessed at sea, as well as repurposed waste that was found on campus, I hope that the physical exploration of the book gives the viewer insight into our reality, as well as the shock I felt seeing this waste out at sea, a thousand miles from land.

three artist books on a small shelf; one with yellow peanut M&Ms cover, one with spread open to show blue and orange prints; one with cardboard covers
gloved hands holding an artist book, right page printed with wavy blue line and orange text reading 'SEA TWO ONE, number fun for future sailors'; left 'page' is a cover made of bubblewrap

untitled (related works)

screenprint and linocut on paper

Jewett Hallway Galleries

vertical row of 5 prints on light blue paper installed on gray fabric wall; each has text reading 'LOST, if found please call' and a phone number; top image is a button; next down is surgical mask; next down is plastic shopping bag; next down is plastic sandwich bag; bottom is plastic fork
white plastic shopping bag hung on gray fabric wall; magenta text screenprinted on it reads 'DO YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES?'
one print, black ink on light blue paper, installed on gray fabric wall; text reads 'LOST, If found, please call (781) 591-7227'; image is the outline of a plastic shopping bag
closeup of wrinkled white plastic shopping bag with magenta repeated text reading 'DO YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR BONES?'