Miners of the Forest

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Artist: Jessie McClanahan

Title: Miners of the Forest

Attribution: Miners of the Forest, 2024, Jessie McClanahan

Year: 2024

Materials: Porcelain cast cicada shells, coal

Dimensions: 7 foot x 3.5 foot

Image Statement: 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.