Cecilia Charlton American, b. 1985
Water Matter (Earth Series), 2019
Hand-embroidered wool on canvas over panel with gold leaf
31 1/2 x 47 1/4 in
80 x 120 cm
80 x 120 cm
Copyright The Artist
Further images
Science was a huge part of Cecilia’s upbringing. This is the influence from her father, who studied physics before pursuing his MBA. For whatever reason, Cecilia did not become a...
Science was a huge part of Cecilia’s upbringing. This is the influence from her father, who studied physics before pursuing his MBA. For whatever reason, Cecilia did not become a scientist. Something that is truly distressing to her is our inability or unwillingness to confront climate change. Cecilia feels guilty that she is not a geologist, that she doesn’t work every day to study and solve this issue. She admires figures like Greta Thunberg, who so eloquently and powerfully express the failures of today’s leaders to create a future for their children.
Cecilia decided to make this series of works in order to feel as though she is contributing to the cause of climate change – even if the contribution an artist can make is a small one. The three components of the series (Plant, Water, and Fire) all pay tribute to these elements within our Earth. She attempts to capture their spirit and celebrate not only their aesthetics but also their essential nature.
The use of the word ‘matter’ in the titles is a play on words – while the works conceptually revolve around the material nature of fire, earth, and plants, the works also encourage the viewer to realise that these things matter.
Cecilia decided to make this series of works in order to feel as though she is contributing to the cause of climate change – even if the contribution an artist can make is a small one. The three components of the series (Plant, Water, and Fire) all pay tribute to these elements within our Earth. She attempts to capture their spirit and celebrate not only their aesthetics but also their essential nature.
The use of the word ‘matter’ in the titles is a play on words – while the works conceptually revolve around the material nature of fire, earth, and plants, the works also encourage the viewer to realise that these things matter.