Holly Cole
Vanishing Jungle Installation, 2023
silk organza, cotton organdy, polyester ballet net, erosion control netting, camo net, thread, synthetic hair, embroidery floss, cheesecloth, fabric paint 12 panels of varied sizes:panel 1: 3’Wx4.5’H,panel 2: 4’Wx8’H,panel 3: 4’Wx7.5’H, panel 4: 3’Wx8.5’H,panel 5: 4’Wx7’H, panel 6: 4’Wx5.5’H, panel 7:3.5’Wx9’H, panel 8: 4’Wx6.5’H,panel 9: 3’Wx6.5’H,panel 10: 3’Wx7’H,panel 11:4’Wx6’H,panel 12: 2’Wx7.5’H
This is a tribute to critically endangered orangutans whose jungle homes are being demolished by palm oil plantations. This installation focuses on 3 phases of their disappearance: Phase 1 we see dimensional babies playing in a lush jungle; Phase 2 we see the jungle and the animals beginning to fade and the jungle starting to disappear; Phase 3 we see a ghostly remnant of the jungle and the animals. I used delicate, sheer layers to express the animals fragility.
Holly Cole
Veterans: The Grizzly Bear, 2025
old sacking, erosion control webbing, reticulated foam, resin eyes, artificial leaves, glue. 22"Hx19"Wx21"D
This series is focused on endangered species. For Grizzly bears climate change and territorial encroachment are the predominant factors in their diminishing population. This inspired me to re-use sacking and webbing to express both the toughness of their battle to survive and their fragility as a species.
Holly Cole
Veterans: the old lion, 2022
Old tarp, fusible web, army blanket, cheesecloth, perle cotton thread, fabric paint 52"Hx50"W
Part of my endangered species series this lion was inspired (with permission) by a photo of the oldest lion in Kenya by Leighton Lum. I recomposed the image and used an army surplus blanket, old damaged tarp, cheesecloth, and hand embroidery to express both the toughness and fragility of this threatened species. Vanishing species are veterans in the war against encroachment on their territories and the battle against changing climates.
