Rebecca Clayson
Arcadia
18” x 24”
Acrylic on Canvas

 

My work started with a feeling of displacement when I first moved into my dorm room here in Stony Brook after leaving the rural area I grew up in. While looking out the window in my dorm I suddenly felt a longing to see trees outside with grass and wildlife growing freely like it once had. However, at the same time, I enjoyed being amongst people and the social life college brought with it. I then posed the question: is it not possible for humans and nature to live harmoniously? Is it not possible to create an idealized society that does not bring destruction onto nature nor onto human life, what would it look like? Too many times have I seen society commercialize nature growing freely in a way that equates to the end of the world. Therefore, I wish to combat that mindset that it is possible for us to live in our own Arcadia, a place of peace and simplicity.