My work exists at the intersection of environmental research and artistic expression, focusing on the urgent global crisis of plastic pollution. I create hand-sewn portraits of animals harmed by plastic pollution, using unrecyclable film plastics collected from daily life. By repurposing these materials, I aim to confront the permanence and ubiquity of plastic waste, while drawing attention to its devastating impact on ecosystems and species. Through the labor-intensive process of stitching plastic onto canvas, I embody the tension between fragility and resilience. Each piece reflects the interconnectedness of environmental degradation, climate change, and species extinction. The animals portrayed in my work serve as both victims and witnesses, offering a visual narrative of our shared vulnerability in the face of environmental collapse. My art challenges viewers to confront their role in a disposable culture and invites a collective reimagining of our relationship with waste. By transforming discarded materials into portraits of beauty and loss, I hope to inspire a deeper understanding of the choices we make and their lasting impact on the natural world.

Website: https://katowens.com/