"Morphing" Artist Statement      
The Morphing Series explores the interconnectivity of humans and nature as well as the impact we make on the Earth. I fuse everyday events with surreal landscapes, symbolic objects and metaphoric actions to explore imbalances and delicate relationships. My most recent work utilizes zoomorphs, people fused with animals, in order to explore the relationship between man and nature. By making composite figures, the subjects are given either the powerful characteristics of the animal or are conversely imbued with the animal’s vulnerability. Through analogy and symbolism, I create visual narratives that illustrate the need for community and cooperation in order to preserve our environment. Climate change is altering landscapes and conditions, putting delicate ecological balances in peril. Everything is interconnected. Our fate and well-being rests on the health of the environment.

contact melissa:
melissacookeart@gmail.com

All images and materials are licensed under a Creative Commons License