Title: Owens River Diversion
Year: 2012
Dimensions: 30”h x 45”w x ¼”d
Silk crepe de chine, silk broadcloth, silk Indian Doupioni, silk dyes, water soluble resist, polyester batting, rayon/viscose and polyester thread.
Owens River Diversion is part of a series of work about confluences of bodies of water that no longer exist due to human impact. This artwork is about the Owens River no longer flowing into Owens Lake. It shows a birds-eye view of the location where the Owens River is diverted into the Los Angeles aqueduct (approximately 10 miles south/south-east of Big Pine, California), paired with the endangered Inyo County Star Tulip. In 1913, the City of Los Angeles began diverting water from the Owens River into the Los Angeles Aqueduct, reducing the once mighty river to a mere trickle. Without enough flow, the Owens River dries up before reaching its confluence with Owens Lake which caused the lake itself to dry up. Owens Lake was once 12 miles long, 8 miles wide and up 50 feet deep. Many species have been affected by this diversion of water and the resulting desiccation of the Owens River Valley. One of the most beautiful is the now endangered Inyo County Star Tulip (Calochortus excavatus). This exquisite flower is native to and exists only in California.
Buy: Inyo County Star Tulip available as metal prints and tea towels.
Details: Scroll down for detail image and more information
Detail image of: Owens River Diversion
Techniques: silk painting and machine quilting
Press: this artwork appears in the following publications, click on an image below:
Oct 6, 2017 – March 18, 2018 Waterlines, New Museum Los Gatos, Los Gatos, CA
Sept 5 – Oct 30, 2014 Bird’s Eye View: Aerial Art , Gallery at 48 Natoma, Folsom, CA
June 23 – September 21, 2012 Art + Life, Commonweal Gallery, Bolinas, CA
Additional info: in a private collection.