A 12-foot paper whale cascades from the ceiling of Evanston Art Center, diving through colorful kelp columns made from hundreds of plastic bags.
International environmental artist Sandra Hansen’s exhibition, “Our Exquisite Pollution Series: Under the Sea,” is showing from March 28 to April 26. Her intricate marine scenes, made from sustainable paper and repurposed plastics, highlight the environmental impacts of plastic pollution.
“It’s just a matter of getting bigger and being noticed, and having a chance to say, ‘This is what we’re doing to our land and our ocean, and we’ve got to get rid of these plastic bags, but none of us can individually,’” Hansen said. “We have to do it together. We have to unify ourselves enough to get rid of these and find a way to get legislation to get rid of them, because plastic makers aren’t going to get rid of them.”
Hansen said she started working on the series in 2014, inspired by a large agricultural runoff into Lake Erie. She said her husband, a geologist, explained to her that the runoff caused a sizable amount of life in the lake to die.
The incident prompted Hansen to research water pollutants — specifically plastics. She said she spent days collecting trash on beaches to incorporate it into her conceptual art. As she added to the collection over the years, she gradually made her pieces larger to represent the growing problem, she added.
EAC Director of Development and Exhibitions Emma Rose Gudewicz said Hansen’s artwork has received positive public reception.
“The kids really love it,” Gudewicz said. “It’s really immersive in that space, just the way that it’s hung. It’s so interesting to see them walk through and point out the little things that may be a little more hidden because of the way it’s all installed.”
EAC President and CEO Paula Danoff said Hansen’s art is fascinating, not only because of its important messaging but also its intricate design. She said the fish looked blurry, as if the viewer was snorkeling.
The placement of the exhibition, on the second floor near a floor-to-ceiling window, also draws people in, Danoff said.
“As you’re driving down Central Street, you can look upstairs and see it,” she said.
Hansen’s work is on sale in the art center while the exhibition is on view. Gudewicz said the center takes a 35% commission on art sales.
Hansen said she has never previously sold her artwork, although she has wanted to.
“It’s not about making money,” Hansen said. “It just isn’t. But I’d love to make money just to pay off myself, which I’ve never, ever been able to do.”
Hansen, whose work was displayed at China’s Inner Mongolia Art Museum in 2017, has traveled for art residencies throughout her career, including India, Italy and China. She said she plans to continue traveling, making art and showcasing it internationally.
“The thing about art — it’s a language of its own,” she said. “I don’t think anybody can walk into that exhibition and not see that it’s about plastics in the water, and they need to think about it and maybe do something.”
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