“Invasive Species”, is a series highlighting the pervasive
issue of the invasion of non-native species in our local natural environment.
These species arrive from global locations where natural predators keep them in
check. Here they have no natural predators and populate our ecosystem,
stressing our native species and in some cases destroying the natural habitat.
There are more than 180 invasive or non-native species we know of currently in
the Great Lakes ecosystem. The Great Lakes are one of the most heavily invaded
aquatic systems in the world.
These invasive creatures are created from cloth with details
added in the sashiko and boro style of Japanese embroidery which is used as
decorative reinforcing stitching. Driftwood from the shore of Lake Ontario in
incorporated into the artwork. The barren nature of the wood against the
decorative embroidery suggests the destructive potential of the invasive
species to the existing environment.
“Sea Lamprey” sits on a piece of driftwood hiding within
bright green invasive vegetation, waiting to strike its prey and suck the life
from it.
“Round Goby” in its enlarged size laying on the bottom on a
piece of smaller driftwood has overtaken its surroundings, much like it is
doing in our lakes.
“Common Carp” hangs by its tail, representing the attempt to
control the invasion of this fish to environments in which it overtakes.
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