Artist

Solveig Swenson

The Promise of Success and the Promise of Destruction

Preview

Medium

Etching, woodcut

Edition #

8 of 30

Signature

Lower right

Height

11"

Width

14"

Gift/Purchase Information

Oil/Water Exchange Portfolio, Art & Design Study Collection

This print is part of a portfolio of artworks addressing the use or misuse of our natural resources. Whether dealing with issues of flooding and diversion in the Red River Valley or oil development and fracking on the Bakken Oil Formation, printmaking students and faculty from Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Minot State University, North Dakota State University, the University of Manitoba, the University of North Dakota and Valley City State University tackle challenging issues through the fascinating medium of printmaking.

Collection/Provenance

UND Art & Design Study Collection, Oil/Water Exchange Portfolio

Status

Stored: 234 Print Box G, S7B

Location

UND Art Collections Repository

Additional Information

Artist Statement:

My first reaction to the issue of oil drilling was one-sided; how could people continue to damage the earth and contaminate our vital resources? Of course, I still ask this question, but this project asked me to look further. Throughout the process of researching the topic and making these prints, I found empathy for both sides. One side finds great opportunity in material wealth, while the other is fighting to maintain the health of the environment, and in turn, physical well-being of all living things. These two types of prosperity are symbolized by one lotus from the sky, and the other floating in the river. It seems the two types of success cannot coexist, so which will it be? The background represents the reality - a city that thrives off of resources, but is highly polluted and runs to the river. The figure in the water grasping a gas mask represents all living beings, which need special technology to filter vital resources like air, water, and food just to survive.

Rights

Images are provided for educational purposes only and may not be reproduced for commercial use. Images may be protected by artist copyright. A credit line is required to be used for any public non-commercial educational purpose. The credit line must include, “Image courtesy of the University of North Dakota.”