By Artist Ashley Rivers- The Nature of Fire

Through repetition and active material experimentation, I will create works that investigate the intrinsic relationship between the natural systems and developments of an oyster and its shell, and the symbolism of them compared to our human identity- specifically to my lived artistic experiences. The work will explore my personal experience with artistic growth, environmental factors, and materials/media experimentation over the years I have been practicing as a professional artist.

Working with multiple mediums- including clays, raw dyes and pigments, natural fibers, metals, wires, metal leafs, and hand-made papers and bioplastics- the sculptures will share, through textural and vulnerable forms, that humans and nature share systematic parallels.

This collection is directly influenced by the oyster shell and its deep, layered, and detailed ridges. Created through a combination of growth, environmental factors, and the deposition of materials, the ridges of the oyster shell act as a metaphor following my artistic identity and experiences lived.

The art is intended to achieve an inspiring and transformational impact on those who experience it by sharing the importance of not only restorative efforts of personal growth, but the importance of restorative efforts on/for the environment.

I have also been working on this project in collaboration with the non-profit, Oyster River Ecology, aiming to spread knowledge and awareness regarding the need for restoration and conservation of our environment and our oyster reefs.

The collection will be shown at multiple Gallery Spaces in the Tampa Bay Area, including the Tully Levine Gallery and the Brenda McMahon Art Gallery. The exhibition will be shown along-side a mini-documentary by local Artist, Dr. Hillary Van Dyke titled: “Diversifying Shoreline Conservation”, meant to inspire everyday citizens to get more involved in local environmental projects. This project will allow each viewer a chance at self-reflection and individualized thought relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition- or nature’s impact on us.

In addition to the exhibition, in connection with Oyster River Ecology, I will be facilitating Oyster Rag Pot (ORP) Community Creation events, where I will invite/involve volunteers in our community to come together to create artificial ORP's to assist with Oyster Reef restoration efforts.

I will be creating and donating ORP's myself that are inspired by my own artistic style, that will be shown during the exhibition, and then assist in the planting of them, plus the community led ORPs, into our waterways for documentation.