Jessie McClanahan
Miners of the Forest (detail), 2024
Porcelain cast cicada shells, coal 7 foot x 3.5 foot
I've always loved the screams of the cicadas and the metaphors they present. These little critters underground burrowing around creating air in the soil and feeding off the dead bits of trees. They're making everything work, and they remind me of miners back home. Eventually they come to the surface to be fed on, destroying themselves. Using cicada shells, coal, and porcelain I created a 7 foot body like pillar that invites the investigation of these small creatures. Asking the audience to create connections between coal, Appalachia, mining, people, and the environment.
Jessie McClanahan
Miners of the Forest, 2024
Porcelain cast cicada shells, coal 7 foot x 3.5 foot
I've always loved the screams of the cicadas and the metaphors they present. These little critters underground burrowing around creating air in the soil and feeding off the dead bits of trees. They're making everything work, and they remind me of miners back home. Eventually they come to the surface to be fed on, destroying themselves. Using cicada shells, coal, and porcelain I created a 7 foot body like pillar that invites the investigation of these small creatures. Asking the audience to create connections between coal, Appalachia, mining, people, and the environment.
Jessie McClanahan
Till Death Do Us Part (detail), 2024
American Chestnut paper, pigment & dye, coal pigment, copper 7 foot x 7 foot
When moving to Syracuse from west Virginia I learned the history of the American Chestnut, in their story and my transplantation outside of Appalachia ; I found kinship with them. With their leaves I created dyes and inks that I adorned the fabric with and used what was left to make paper. I made us a double wedding ring "quilt" of this paper, coal dust, and fabric that tied us together. The quilt was broken up into its individual blocks and has been shared across the globe telling the story of this tree and Appalachia.
Jessie McClanahan
Till Death Do Us Part, 2024
American Chestnut paper, pigment & dye, coal pigment, copper 7 foot x 7 foot
When moving to Syracuse from west Virginia I learned the history of the American Chestnut, in their story and my transplantation outside of Appalachia ; I found kinship with them. With their leaves I created dyes and inks that I adorned the fabric with and used what was left to make paper. I made us a double wedding ring "quilt" of this paper, coal dust, and fabric that tied us together. The quilt was broken up into its individual blocks and has been shared across the globe telling the story of this tree and Appalachia.
