With discarded plastic and debris, Poughkeepsie artist presents 'Out on a Limb' series

Last month, people from around the world came together to celebrate Earth Day — a day dedicated to raising public awareness about environmental issues affecting our planet. This is often a topic for artists to create work around.

Suprina, a Poughkeepsie-based artist whose work reflects her concern with cultural, social and political practices that have harmful effects on the earth, has a solo show opening on May 18 at the Jane St. Gallery in Saugerties entitled “Out on a Limb."

In her show, Suprina presents a series of symbolic works made largely from discarded plastic and other found objects, transforming the debris into figurative sculptures, mandalas, and other works of art.

"Ode to the Albatross, 8’ x 8’" is a tribute to the largest sea bird on the planet, whose wingspan can reach 11 feet. The impact of our trash is conveyed through the objects in the wings of this sculpture. Slightly hidden by the black and white feathers, you can see toothbrushes, cigarette lighters and other discarded trash. These items were actually found in the bellies of the birds as they often mistake floating plastic for food.

"Prayers for Mother Earth-Tree of Life, 48” x 30”" is a mosaic created using children’s plastic toys that cannot be recycled. The tree’s bare limbs stretch to the sky with a lone cardinal sitting on its branches. Beneath the soil is an all-seeing eye, embedded in the roots of the tree.

Alongside these works, Suprina has created a large-scale, immersive, forest installation made entirely of trash. The "Silent Stories" forest is an interactive/interdisciplinary life-size installation environment. It is created using broken and discarded rakes, shovels, brooms, mops, golf clubs and other tall slender objects collected from followers of her work.

Empty gallon paint cans filled with gravel and plaster are the perfect base for the upright castaways and help create a magical, educational, and eye-opening visual experience. Stroll down the forest path while listening to Suprina’s soundscape to ponder our relationship to our own material consumption.

The visual power of Suprina’s work is no doubt rooted in her early history as a designer of floats for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Her aesthetic is bold and theatrical — ranging from humorous and entertaining to menacing, but always graphic and dramatic.

“My interests lay in creating carnival-like narratives themed around our politics, our environment and our societal trends,” Suprina says. “I’m not strong or courageous, but I don’t mind climbing out on a limb. In some strange way, I’m comfortable there.”

With the show running through June 23, there are many opportunities to participate in events and interact with the artist. On June 1, you can join the artist talk and donate objects to be used in the forest. If you are interested in donating items but cannot attend on June 1, there is another chance on June 16.

In this impactful work, Suprina builds haunting and beautiful creations out of often harmful, recycled materials, reminding us of the potential to imagine a better future.

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If you go

What: "Out on a Limb"

When: noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Sunday; noon to 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday; May 18 - June 23, 2024; Opening reception will be held 4-7 p.m. May 18

Where: Jane St. Art Center, 11 Jane St., Saugerties

More information: (845) 217-5715 and info@janestreetartcenter.com

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: With discarded plastic and debris, Poughkeepsie artist presents 'Out on a Limb' series