Natural State

A collection of work created by Alexis Gandrud, in fulfillment of the B.A. in Art in the Department of Art and Design at the

University of Minnesota Duluth

Artist Statement

Natural State can be defined as the pristine condition of nature, untouched by human civilization. The exhibition itself contains creations pertaining to the subject of nature itself, consisting of imagery of things that can be found, and grown within nature. Things found in nature are a great inspiration to me, as they occur in the natural world without the need for human interference. They exist with or without humans, however in most cases humans could not exist without them. My pieces range from imagery of nature on its own, coexisting with the man made, and being impacted by human interaction. This exhibition is a culmination of a variety of subjects found within the natural landscape of Minnesota, that represent the joy and simplicity that can be found outdoors.


My photography series, Untitled, consists of the more peaceful elements of nature and the natural world. Imagery ranging from sprouting flowers and leaves, to ebbing water and symmetrical spider webs. To me, these photographs represent the serenity one can feel in the outdoors. The images are rather simple, but they capture the essence of the natural landscape of Minnesota. They also, in my opinion, ignite the senses allowing viewers to almost hear and smell the subject.


The drawing on display, titled Endangered, depicts a single monarch butterfly surrounded by a depleting forest of milkweed. Monarch butterflies are native to Minnesota, and are a relatively common sight during the summer months. The species is endangered due to pesticides destroying their supply of milkweed which is their food source. The drawing displays this through the black outlines of milkweed that should be growing, but isn’t. However, there are currently many efforts being made to prevent the species from extinction, which is why flourishing milkweed plants are also visible. The fate of the monarch butterfly is yet to be determined, but I feel that this piece is a good reminder that the actions of human beings have dire consequences on the future of not only the monarch, but countless other animal species as well. If we as humans want to continue to experience the beauty of nature, we need to take the steps to protect the environment.


Lastly, is my two part intaglio print series. The original piece is titled Beehive, which simply showcases a honey bee contrasted by the geometric forms found within a beehive. Bees are a vital part of earth's ecosystem, but like monarch butterflies they are struggling to maintain their population. I have always had a fascination with patterns, colors, and textures at work within bees and beehives so this creation was an experimentation to showcase those elements. The second part of the series is titled Pollinator, and is an altered version of Beehive. More organic elements can be seen with the addition of flowers, which aid in solidifying the bee’s important role as a pollinator. These pieces, like Endangered, not only represent the beauty found in nature, but serve as a reminder that these subjects are living things that are currently facing a dramatic population decline.

Photography, Drawing, & Printmaking

Untitled Series, 2022

Endangered, 2022

watercolor, marker, and colored pencil

Beehive, 2022

intaligo

Pollinator, 2022

intaligo

This exhibition will run from April 4th, 2023 - May 4th, 2023

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer