REVERENCE FOR MOTHER EARTH
“Reverence for Mother Earth” is about interconnectedness; it’s having a deep respect and love for our world and being aware of how the loss of any one species can affect ecosystems. Being respectful of all forms of life is environmental sustainability. Adopting sustainable practices and making ethical choices are core values embedded in these artworks.
The exhibit is a wondrous assemblage of recycled plastic bags, embroidery, and rug punch by Tia Johnson and handmade paper pieces with natural found materials by Kyoko Heshiimu. The nine works of art are connected by ideas of community; the use of materials and imageries from Staten Island; local walks in various Staten Island neighborhoods; days spent at Midland and South Beaches; appreciation for our neighbors’ labor of love in creating their gardens; collecting pieces of the native plants; reusing and recycling materials from past art projects; and using discarded plastic bags, gift wraps and plastic tablecloths. The ensuing collages gave them the opportunity to mix and match elements from their lives and communities, and to reuse and recycle those elements into art that concentrates on these important living beings from New York that are endangered. They chose these indispensable species to honor them as works of art and their importance to our lives.
“One day I recognized that many plastic bags had been piling up in the closet. The bags ended up being well over 500 in one year. I wanted to do something, change my habit of mindlessly getting plastic bags and stuffing them into the closet. What started out as an idea for a reusable bag business ended up becoming artwork instead. I needed artwork to go on the bag and recycling the plastic bags for a collage transformed these materials into art – using the plastic bags as the medium and the message. I found that the different weights and colors of the bags could be used to create depth and to make it look as if the medium had been painted on the canvas. My love of nature has been the theme from the beginning. I grew up camping and spending time at the beach and walking in the woods. My great-grandmother and mother taught me how to sew and embroider from the age of five. I used those techniques to reinterpret the use of plastic bags.” — Tia Johnson
Staten Island is literally a part of my handmade paper pieces. The first layer of the projects in this show all begin with a paper base made by hand – using shredded recycled paper and magazines from past art projects; seeds from flowers and herbs; dyes and coloring from turmeric, blueberries, beet juice and coffee. Nature is embedded into the art and can go back into the earth once the work is no longer needed rather than being tossed into the trash. I collected flowers and leaves that were shed from many neighborhoods on Staten Island; and picked up pinecones walking the children to school. We played on the beach and watched mussels washing onto shore – inspiring me to find a purpose for them in the ‘Fishes” artwork. I incorporated molted black seagull feathers into “Spruce Grouse,” which created a natural depth of texture and beauty that I hope to make the viewer want to look closer at what was used to create the art. — Kyoko Heshiimu
"Reverence for Mother Earth" affirms that we are all a part of nature. Importantly, it is the interconnectivity of the social, the economic, and the environment that sustainability can be achieved. It is our greatest value that we nourish and respect our communities with care – the same way we would care for an endangered species and all life on earth. All the animals and insects in the gallery show are on the endangered species list, vulnerable or threatened. From the smallest copepods in the ocean waters to the tiniest of bees, all of Mother Earth makes connections we may not consider on a day-to-day level – we are all interconnected.
TIA JOHNSON | biography
Tia is an artist, art director, and graphic designer. She has a BFA in Photography from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, and an MA in communications design from Pratt Institute of Technology. She received a certificate in sustainability from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has exhibited artwork in the "Island of Art," juried shows at St. John's University, Staten Island campus, 2013 and 2017. She worked at Island Def Jam where she was a senior art director and graphic designer for eleven years. She ran the Canvas Institute of the Arts, Culture, and Civic Engagement book club for several years and helped to implement the Martin Luther King Jr. day for children and families two years in a row. In 2022 she received a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts. Her current work focuses on nature, community, and politics using collage techniques, photography, and unique materials such as plastic bags.
KYOKO HESHIIMU | biography
Kyoko Heshiimu is a poet and artist. She has published four collections of poetry and four children's books. She received her BFA in painting from Pratt Institute and her MSEd from the College of Staten Island. She has exhibited artwork at HUB17, Wagner College, the Canvas Institute of Civic Engagement, Art Lab, St. John's University, Art at Bay, Eastern District, 6th Street Community Center, Macy's Gallery at Columbia University. She was a SI Arts DCA Premier Grantee in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Most recently she had a virtual art exhibition on Kunstmatrix.com about homelessness. Her work focuses on political issues and struggles faced by women.
Poem credit:
"Reverence for Mother Earth," poem by Tia Johnson and Kyoko Heshiimu
© 2022 Tia Johnson and Kyoko Heshiimu
Music credit:
"Reverence for Mother Earth"
Music written, arranged, and produced by Kwame Heshimu
Concept | Tia Johnson
Poem spoken by Shara Heshiimu
© 2022 Kwame Heshimu
This project is made possible by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
The exhibit is a wondrous assemblage of recycled plastic bags, embroidery, and rug punch by Tia Johnson and handmade paper pieces with natural found materials by Kyoko Heshiimu. The nine works of art are connected by ideas of community; the use of materials and imageries from Staten Island; local walks in various Staten Island neighborhoods; days spent at Midland and South Beaches; appreciation for our neighbors’ labor of love in creating their gardens; collecting pieces of the native plants; reusing and recycling materials from past art projects; and using discarded plastic bags, gift wraps and plastic tablecloths. The ensuing collages gave them the opportunity to mix and match elements from their lives and communities, and to reuse and recycle those elements into art that concentrates on these important living beings from New York that are endangered. They chose these indispensable species to honor them as works of art and their importance to our lives.
“One day I recognized that many plastic bags had been piling up in the closet. The bags ended up being well over 500 in one year. I wanted to do something, change my habit of mindlessly getting plastic bags and stuffing them into the closet. What started out as an idea for a reusable bag business ended up becoming artwork instead. I needed artwork to go on the bag and recycling the plastic bags for a collage transformed these materials into art – using the plastic bags as the medium and the message. I found that the different weights and colors of the bags could be used to create depth and to make it look as if the medium had been painted on the canvas. My love of nature has been the theme from the beginning. I grew up camping and spending time at the beach and walking in the woods. My great-grandmother and mother taught me how to sew and embroider from the age of five. I used those techniques to reinterpret the use of plastic bags.” — Tia Johnson
Staten Island is literally a part of my handmade paper pieces. The first layer of the projects in this show all begin with a paper base made by hand – using shredded recycled paper and magazines from past art projects; seeds from flowers and herbs; dyes and coloring from turmeric, blueberries, beet juice and coffee. Nature is embedded into the art and can go back into the earth once the work is no longer needed rather than being tossed into the trash. I collected flowers and leaves that were shed from many neighborhoods on Staten Island; and picked up pinecones walking the children to school. We played on the beach and watched mussels washing onto shore – inspiring me to find a purpose for them in the ‘Fishes” artwork. I incorporated molted black seagull feathers into “Spruce Grouse,” which created a natural depth of texture and beauty that I hope to make the viewer want to look closer at what was used to create the art. — Kyoko Heshiimu
"Reverence for Mother Earth" affirms that we are all a part of nature. Importantly, it is the interconnectivity of the social, the economic, and the environment that sustainability can be achieved. It is our greatest value that we nourish and respect our communities with care – the same way we would care for an endangered species and all life on earth. All the animals and insects in the gallery show are on the endangered species list, vulnerable or threatened. From the smallest copepods in the ocean waters to the tiniest of bees, all of Mother Earth makes connections we may not consider on a day-to-day level – we are all interconnected.
TIA JOHNSON | biography
Tia is an artist, art director, and graphic designer. She has a BFA in Photography from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, and an MA in communications design from Pratt Institute of Technology. She received a certificate in sustainability from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has exhibited artwork in the "Island of Art," juried shows at St. John's University, Staten Island campus, 2013 and 2017. She worked at Island Def Jam where she was a senior art director and graphic designer for eleven years. She ran the Canvas Institute of the Arts, Culture, and Civic Engagement book club for several years and helped to implement the Martin Luther King Jr. day for children and families two years in a row. In 2022 she received a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts. Her current work focuses on nature, community, and politics using collage techniques, photography, and unique materials such as plastic bags.
KYOKO HESHIIMU | biography
Kyoko Heshiimu is a poet and artist. She has published four collections of poetry and four children's books. She received her BFA in painting from Pratt Institute and her MSEd from the College of Staten Island. She has exhibited artwork at HUB17, Wagner College, the Canvas Institute of Civic Engagement, Art Lab, St. John's University, Art at Bay, Eastern District, 6th Street Community Center, Macy's Gallery at Columbia University. She was a SI Arts DCA Premier Grantee in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Most recently she had a virtual art exhibition on Kunstmatrix.com about homelessness. Her work focuses on political issues and struggles faced by women.
Poem credit:
"Reverence for Mother Earth," poem by Tia Johnson and Kyoko Heshiimu
© 2022 Tia Johnson and Kyoko Heshiimu
Music credit:
"Reverence for Mother Earth"
Music written, arranged, and produced by Kwame Heshimu
Concept | Tia Johnson
Poem spoken by Shara Heshiimu
© 2022 Kwame Heshimu
This project is made possible by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.