WASH AWAY THE WARNINGS

2024
Mixed media painting on canvas
43 in. x 64 in.

"Wash Away the Warnings" explores the stark realities of industrial contamination through the lens of personal and environmental cleansing. Inspired by my experiences at the USEC Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, this piece depicts the urgent, often futile attempts to erase the invisible threats that linger in our environments.

Central to the composition is a stray spray bottle, prominently adorned with a radiation symbol, represents the tools used to scrub away pollutants, a  reminder of our ongoing battle against environmental hazards. A figure with a respirator pours a canteen over herself, symbolizing both decontamination and the desperate efforts to reclaim purity in a world marked by unseen dangers. A wine glass, bearing the radiation symbol, highlighting the pervasive spread of contaminants into daily life.

This artwork invites viewers to reflect on the impact of industrial legacies and the ongoing struggle for environmental and personal safety.