Holly Van Hart is an award-winning artist whose nature-inspired, abstracted paintings are exhibited in galleries internationally. Her one-person exhibitions include those at the Triton Museum of Art and Stanford University, among other venues. When I learned about Holly’s recent decision to take a more activist role as an artist to address global warming, and that she donates part of her proceeds to The Nature Conservancy and Ice911, I invited her to share her transformative story. It’s a pleasure to present “How My Non-Political Art Has Become Political”.
Perhaps her article will inspire you to think of ways you can make a difference in the world. ~ Renée Phillips
By Holly Van Hart
When it comes to nature conservation and global warming, the words of my friend Dr. Leslie Field played over and over again in my head, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”
Editor’s note: After this article was published we learned this quote was originally said by Hillel, a Hebrew scholar who lived from 110BC to 10AD. See comment below this article.
Dr. Field is a prolific inventor, a consulting professor at Stanford University, and founder and CEO of Ice911, a boots-on-the-ground organization that is acting now to slow climate change.
As an artist, I find Dr. Field and her Ice911 mission to be hugely inspirational. In fact, her work has triggered a transformation of my art and myself.
For over 10 years, I have painted abstracted nature paintings that are intended to spark new excitement about the limitless opportunities we have in our lives.
As an avid hiker and mountain biker, I have always been inspired by nature. In my paintings, images of forests, fields, and flowers are used to symbolize abundance, opportunity, and the generation of new life and ideas.
Until recently, I was absorbed by the painting process itself, as well as by portraying nature in a novel and exciting way. Painting for the sake of painting is a celebration of human creativity, and that was enough for me.
I was well aware of the issue of global warming, of course. It was being addressed by the capable hands and minds of governments, non-profits, and scientists like Dr. Field. Then came the presidential election of 2016. That woke me up, and caused me to dig deeper into what the planet needs and what I can do about it. If not me, who? If not now, when?
I still loved painting for the sake of painting, but it was no longer enough. Our planet is in jeopardy. I felt a pressing need to take immediate action to preserve our natural world for my children and your children and all generations to come.
Starting in 2017, I committed to financially contribute to two important non-profit nature organizations. Specifically, part of the proceeds from sales of my nature paintings will be donated to Ice911 and to The Nature Conservancy.
This need is transforming my art and it is transforming me. My artistic mission is now expanded to include conservation of our amazing planet.
I have also started using my social media platform to amplify the messages of nature conservationists. One example is an interview with Dr. Field about her motivations and plans for addressing global warming through Ice911. She is so full of energy and optimism and action, and is a true inspiration.
Now when I paint, it is with a new expanded mission to protect our planet. For the first time, I feel like a political artist. And I’m thrilled.
Visit Holly Van Hart’s website at hollyvanhart.com
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FanBetty says
The quote you attributed to your professor was originally said by Hillel, a Hebrew scholar who lived from 110BC to 10AD.
“Hillel is known for a number of famous maxims in addition to his articulation of a variant of the golden rule noted above. Many of these are recorded in the early chapters of Pirkei Avot, the section of the Talmud concerned primarily with matters of ethics. Perhaps the most well-known of Hillel’s statements is this: “If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, then when?”
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/hillel/
It has been re-quoted and attributed to many other people. Just wanted to mention it.
I really like your art.