Michelle Lougee
“Flotsam”
Description
“Flotsam”
2021
9' x 6' x 5"
Crocheted plastic and discarded plastic
‘Flotsam’ by Michelle Lougee is a piece that deals with elements of sustainability; discussing issues of consumerism and plastic pollution that plague the modern world.
It is made from “100% post consumer plastic” according to Michelle, and in so doing, makes a statement about the manner in which we recycle and dispose of plastic in our day to day lives.
This piece is even more relevant today, as online consumption of single use goods has increased as a result of the pandemic, and global consumption continues to reach all time highs.
Artist Statement
“My work addresses the impact of our consumerist society on nature. The forms are joyful reverence to nature – with a warning. Produced from crocheted post-consumer plastic that would otherwise find its way to a landfill, whimsical and playful forms illustrate tension between material and concept, while contemplating profound problems in our culture and environment.
Single use plastic is formed into sculptural representations of marine phytoplankton in my work. Inspired by the similarities in the shapes of some discarded plastics and marine organisms, I used discarded plastic as building components in representations of magical and otherworldly marine life.
I have developed a multi step fiber technique using disposable single use plastic to make sculpture for my personal studio work. My techniques are also uniquely suited for community engagement projects to mobilize participants on many levels. A recent public art project involved over 100 participants, thousands of collected and processed plastic bags and resulted in 38 pieces of sculpture installed along the Minuteman Bikeway in Arlington, MA.
I encourage viewers to take a new look at ourselves, our habits, and our precious planet and reflect on our increasingly precarious relationship with the planet by contrasting material with imagery that range from microscopic forms to representations of nature.”
- Michelle Lougee
Pandemic and Practice
“Gallery shows, sales and open studios have been canceled, A studio that I teach at was closed for 6 months.”
- Michelle Lougee