The Collective

Kimberly Tucker

Walmart, Lymantria Dispar (Gypsy Moth) Eggs embedded in Gelatin, 12″ x 3′ 6″

Artist Statement

This work examines the role of capitalism as it relates to climate change and the interrelationship between humans and the natural world.
I collected thousands of living Gypsy moth eggs from deciduous trees in the forest around my home in eastern Ontario. The trees have been deforested for several consecutive years by a growing infestation of Lymantria Dispar (Gypsy moths). With few natural predators and altered weather patterns conducive to unchecked growth, the voracious caterpillars are causing unprecedented damage in the Boreal Forest. I scrape egg masses from the trees and separate the eggs from their masses. I then suspend the insect eggs in gelatin within 3D printed molds whose letters form the words “Walmart. Save Money. Live Better” The eggs in the warm yellow-coloured gelatin resemble insects in amber or seeding within a growth substrate.
This work draws attention to the role capitalism plays in our environmental crisis. I draw parallels between the problems of corporate greed and consumerism and the unchecked spread, exuberant consumption, and resulting damage of the moth infestation. These two manifestations are intrinsically connected, and the similarities are undeniable as growth and expansion are primary drivers in systems where checks and balances are askew, and the immediacy of the impact is seen in our environment.

Process

Kimberly Tucker standing beside a poplar tree with Gypsy Moth egg masses — Lymantria Dispar Egg Masses on Poplar

Harvested Gypsy Moth egg masses — Lymantria Dispar Egg Masses on Poplar

The Way of Things

A sculpture consisting of 7 found porcelain female figurines in long dresses assembled in a column and partially bleached of colour. Gypsy moth eggs cover the northwest side of the column.

A detail of a sculpture consisting of 7 found porcelain female figurines in long dresses assembled in a column and partially bleached of colour. Gypsy moth eggs cover the northwest side of the column.

The Way of Things, Found Porcelain Figurines, Lymantria Dispar (Gypsy Moth) Egg Masses, 22″ x 12″ x 10″

A continuation of my work with Lymantria Dispar Egg masses, The Way of Things explores the entanglement of uncertainty and adaptation in relation to climate change.
A tumultuous piling of discarded porcelain figurines are partially covered and encased by an abundance of living Gypsy moth eggs. Several layers of eggs cover one side of the figurines, obscuring features, and filling crevices while the colour is blanched from the figures. I am considering how Western thinking sets humans apart from, and above nature. The glossy white figurines are cast about, merged, and integrated together and juxtaposed against the dark, soft, natural masses of eggs that are methodically and assuredly covering the porcelain. The incubating eggs create a dialogue between the inevitable progression of time and the impending certainty of change.