Natalie Bustillos

“What is your favorite artwork?”

Curatorial Rationale

My art explores the intricate relationship between nature and humanity. This theme is multifaceted, which allowed me to thoroughly explore the ways in which humans interact with, impact, and are intertwined with the natural world. Through my work, I aim to provoke thought about the balance that exists between us and the environment. I have always been fascinated by the complexities of this relationship, particularly how we both shape and are shaped by the natural world. This body of work aims to bring attention to these dynamics, with an emphasis on the impact that human activity has on the planet.

My creative process has been deeply influenced by both personal experiences and the research I have conducted over time. One of the primary themes in my work is the tension between environmental degradation and the inherent beauty of nature. This interest was inspired by my own experiences growing up in a highly polluted area, where I witnessed the effects of industrialization on local ecosystems. I experienced firsthand a public stream which ran behind my house get increasingly more polluted and destroyed over the years. A creek my siblings and I once played in, became a host of contaminated water and heavy pollution which now repels visitors. I’ve also been heavily influenced by the works of artists like Andy Goldsworthy, who incorporates natural elements into his art to explore themes of impermanence and the cycles of nature, and Ernst Haeckel, whose creates detailed illustrations of organisms. Additionally, the environmental art movement has shaped my approach to material choice. I often use recycled materials like plastic bags and already used canvases to create my work, symbolizing the idea that art, like nature, is in a constant state of transformation. These materials are not only a reflection of my theme but are a deliberate choice, as they enable me to experiment with textures and forms found in the natural world. I also use digital techniques to alter these materials, bridging the gap between the organic and the human-made.

The body of work I am currently exhibiting is the culmination of my ongoing exploration of the relationship between nature and humanity. This work has evolved from my previous projects, which focused primarily on the portrayal of natural landscapes. In my more recent work, I’ve been experimenting with the representation of nature through different forms. I have shifted from representing nature as peaceful to portraying it as something subject to human influence. The forms I use are often asymmetrical, reflecting the fractured state of the environment caused by deforestation, pollution, and urbanization. In contrast to this, I have also explored moments of serenity, where nature is allowed to reclaim spaces that were once disturbed.

For this exhibition, I have curated the arrangement of the artworks to enhance the viewer’s understanding of the theme. The pieces are presented in a flowing sequence, each one building upon the previous, as if narrating a journey from destruction to regeneration. I have positioned the works in such a way that they interact with the space, encouraging the viewer to walk around and engage with the pieces from different angles.The placement of text in the exhibition is minimalist, ensuring that the focus remains on the work itself, allowing the viewers to interpret the pieces in a personal and emotional way. The font used is clean and unobtrusive.

The curatorial methodology employed for this exhibition aims to create a unified experience where the viewer is invited to reflect on the relationship between nature and humanity. Each work is carefully chosen to complement and challenge the others. The viewer is encouraged to reflect on their own connection to the environment, whether through the lens of human impact or the power of nature. In conclusion, this exhibition is an exploration of the complex, often contradictory relationship between humanity and nature. It is an invitation to consider how we shape the world around us, how we are shaped by it, and how, ultimately, we might find a path toward harmony. Through the selection and arrangement of my works, I hope to encourage a deeper reflection on the delicate balance that exists between us and the environment.

Natalie’s Artwork

  • Waves of Exploitation

    Digital

    20.3cm x 16cm

    This piece dives into humanity's relationship with marine life, exploring themes of consumption and exploitation. Through digital collage, the artwork contrasts sea creatures with symbols of human use in food and medicine industries, revealing the ethical challenges posed by these practices. It invites viewers to reflect on the impact of over consumption on ocean ecosystems and urges a shift towards sustainable, respectful interaction with the planet's oceans.

  • Petals and Plastic

    Recycled Magazines, plastic water bottle, pipe cleaners, coffee grounds

    20.3cm x 6.5cm

    The concepts of "Petals and Plastic" reflects our humans appreciation and love for nature, while simultaneously showing how humans use products which negatively impact our earth. I've used plastic bags from various food items to construct the flower to show the contrast between our admiration for nature and the environmental damage caused by common products.

  • Call For Change

    Digital

    27cm x 20cm

    This piece reflects my personal exploration of humanity’s role in nurturing the Earth. Through the use of digital collage, the piece combines imagery of hands planting a seed, endangered species, and impactful newspaper headlines to underscore the urgency of environmental action. These visuals serve as a “call” to reflect on sustainability, raise awareness of climate change, and inspire a collective commitment to preserving the planet’s delicate ecosystems.

  • Seasons of Age

    Oil Pastel

    20.3cm x 16cm

    This piece explores the cyclical nature of life, comparing the passage of time to the changing seasons. The artwork features a figure split into four quarters, each progressively aging as they move clockwise. The youthful side, on the right, is surrounded by warm, vibrant flowers symbolizing spring and summer, representing growth and vitality. In contrast, the older side is framed by cool colors and motifs of fall and winter, embodying the inevitable decline and rest that come with age.

  • Metamorphasis

    Oil pastel, charcoal, colored pencil on paper

    24cm x 45cm

    This piece was inspired by a poster depicting the butterfly life cycle. I sought to capture the transformative journey from caterpillar to butterfly. The caterpillar stage is created with vibrant oil pastel, symbolizing adolescence. The chrysalis stage is in charcoal, representing the mystery and uncertainty of the cocoon’s interior. Finally, the butterfly stage, created with colored pencil, illustrates the culmination of growth, marking the full metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly.

  • Mind Blooms

    Acrylic

    30.48cm x 30.48cm

    This piece is a self-portrait that explores the interaction between the mind, creativity, and nature. I drew inspiration from the X-ray reveal of Van Gogh’s Head of a Peasant Woman, this piece shows the inner workings of the mind, symbolized by a brain with flowers sprouting. I included a juxtaposition of surreal, cartoon style imagery with the theme of growth reflects how creativity emerges from the hidden recesses of the mind, often lying dormant until uncovered.

  • Organ Garden

    Acrylic on canvas

    30cm x 40cm

    This piece was inspired by a work I came across online. This work is meant to demonstrate the interaction between nature and the human bodies, which led me to paint my own interpretation of what I believe this interaction is. I was inspired by the shapes and lines that were included in the piece, which I tried to incorporate into each organ and flower in my piece. I felt like an extremely dark background, such as the dark blue background I painted, also put emphasis on the organs and flowers.

  • ChrysantheME

    Watercolor

    27cm x 21cm

    In this piece I explore my personal identity and familial connections through my family member’s birth flowers. Surrounded by the birth flowers: larkspurs and dandelions, each reflects how each of my family members has had an impact on me. The delicate watercolor technique I utilized emphasizes softness, while the vibrant flowers symbolize the uniqueness of each person in my life. This piece reflects how these familial bonds come together to shape who I am.