Natural Consequences: The Geoscience Embroideries of Bonnie Peterson

The urgency of climate change motivates Bonnie Peterson’s artwork. She examines geophysical climate issues in order to design explanations for some of the difficult modeling scenarios in environmental science and draw these concepts on paper or embroider them onto silk fabrics. Her recent environmental work originated during artist-scientist projects with limnologists at University of Wisconsin, glaciologists at Yosemite National Park, fire scientists at Northern Arizona University, dendochronologists at University of Arizona and permafrost scientists at University of Alaska.

In Bonnie Peterson’s Own Words

A lengthy research phase builds a foundation for this artwork as I investigate data collected by instruments such as satellites and ocean floats, and modeling from climate proxies such as ice cores. I translate the abstract scientific data collected by global agencies including WMO, NOAA, & NASA, into visual art that challenges people irregardless of their level of scientific knowledge to consider the environmental science of climate change.

A new body of work connects future temperature and CO2 scenarios with the consequences of warming. Using a spider web of arrows, it examines atmospheric, oceanic, polar and land climate data reported by data collection instruments such as satellites and ocean floats, and modeled for future climate regimes. 

Image credits:  Tom Van Eynde

Notebaert's link to info about this show:  https://naturemuseum.org/explore/exhibits/natural-consequences/