Lisa Sanditz: Capturing the Sublime in a Despoiled Landscape
Environmental Pollution and the American Landscape
Lisa Sanditz, a contemporary American landscape painter, finds beauty in the unexpected places—the polluted skies, poisoned streams, and neon-illuminated streets of our modern world. Her paintings challenge traditional notions of the sublime, portraying the beauty that can be found even in the face of environmental degradation.
The Grotesque in Sanditz’s Work
Sanditz’s paintings often hover on the edge of the grotesque, combining elements of beauty and repulsion. Her surfaces are both alluring and unsettling, inviting viewers to confront the often-uncomfortable realities of our polluted planet.
The Internet as Inspiration
Sanditz gathers inspiration from a variety of sources, including the Internet. She loves the way the web allows her to explore different perspectives and gather ideas from around the world. This “collapsing of space” influences her paintings, which often disregard the rules of perspective in favor of bold, expressive designs.
The Influence of Traditional Landscape Painting
Despite her innovative approach, Sanditz is also deeply influenced by traditional landscape painting. She has studied the works of the Hudson River School painters, who popularized the grandeur of American scenery in the 19th century. Sanditz finds inspiration in their bold compositions and their ability to capture the essence of the natural world.
The Beauty of Industrial Taint
Sanditz finds beauty in the industrial taint that is so prevalent in our modern world. She sees the polluted skies, poisoned streams, and neon-illuminated streets as a reflection of our complex and often contradictory relationship with nature. Her paintings explore the tension between the natural and the man-made, highlighting the ways in which human activities have shaped the landscape.
Discarded Plastic as Artistic Inspiration
Discarded plastic is a recurring motif in Sanditz’s work. She is fascinated by the way this ubiquitous material has become a symbol of both our consumerism and our environmental recklessness. In her painting “Pearl Farm I,” she depicts pearl farmers in China using discarded plastic bottles as buoys to mark their oyster beds. The painting is a poignant reminder of the environmental impact of our everyday choices.
Underwater World in Sanditz’s Paintings
Sanditz’s paintings often explore the underwater world, revealing the hidden beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems. In her “Pearl Farm” series, she captures the intricate patterns of oyster beds and the vibrant colors of the underwater environment. These paintings celebrate the beauty of the natural world while also raising awareness of the threats facing our oceans.
Lisa Sanditz’s Paintings as a Reflection of Modern Society
Sanditz’s paintings are a reflection of our modern society, with all its contradictions and complexities. They celebrate the beauty of the natural world while also confronting the challenges we face as a result of environmental pollution and climate change. Her work invites viewers to think critically about our relationship with the planet and to consider the ways in which we can create a more sustainable future.
The Sublime in the Face of Environmental Degradation
Sanditz’s paintings challenge the traditional notion of the sublime, which is often associated with untouched wilderness. She finds the sublime in the unexpected places—in the polluted landscapes and discarded objects of our modern world. By doing so, she expands our understanding of beauty and inspires us to appreciate the resilience and adaptability of the natural world.
The Role of Kansas City in Sanditz’s Work
Sanditz divides her time between New York City and a country home in Tivoli, New York, near the haunts of the Hudson River School painters. However, she also finds inspiration in the Midwest. Her painting “SubTropolis” depicts an enormous former limestone mine beneath Kansas City, Missouri, which is now used as a storage and shipping facility. The painting captures the eerie beauty of this subterranean world, highlighting the industrial heritage of the region.
Sanditz’s work is a powerful reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. By challenging traditional notions of the sublime and exploring the tension between the natural and the man-made, she invites us to reconsider our relationship with the planet and to appreciate the beauty that can be found even in the face of environmental degradation.
