NYAB Event - Herb Smith and Chris Otley “Here & There”

Herb Smith and Chris Otley “Here & There”

Mighty Tanaka

This event has ended.

Autumn is a season of change. As the Earth begins to cycle back to the cold, both humans and animals begin their process of preparing for the winter that lies ahead. In these last gasps of sunshine and warmth, it gives us time to reflect on the world around us and the balance of our relationship with nature. However, that balance is shifting due to an alteration of an already fragile ecosystems. Invasive animal species are being deliberately released into the wild, creating new competition amongst a variety of species within an already established food chain, pushing native wildlife to the brink. This event is a world wide occurrence, with creatures on every corner of the globe effected by this shifting dynamic. Mighty Tanaka is proud to bring you a visual interpretation of this ongoing process in Here and There, featuring the artwork of two wildly talented artists, Herb Smith & Chris Otley. Together, they explore the impact between native and invasive species within both of their local communities.

Here and There explores the diversity in wildlife from the viewpoint of both of the artists. Herb Smith, an avid birdwatcher, is enthralled with the native bird species of NYC and interprets their likeness in a distinct way. However, through his birding, he has witnessed first hand, the destructive nature that non-native wildlife has done to the natural settings of the region. Yet, Chris Otley takes a different approach, as his graphite illustrations reflect the dramatic rise of invasive animal species in his hometown of London, England. He integrates a variety of maps of London into his artwork, which correspond with the specific areas where the forced introduction of animals took place in the city. Together, both Herb Smith and Chris Otley explore two sides of the coin and approach this evolving situation within their own personal interpretations.

Herb Smith and Chris Otley both exemplify a timeless passion for art and nature. Following in the footsteps of many great artists before them, they carry on the legacy of translating the natural world to viewers far and wide. Their interpretations of the world around them speaks volumes to the changing environment in which we live and how our actions determine the balance within it.