# HUCE 2023-24 Environmental Artist John Sabraw September 12, 2023 The Center for the Environment is excited to unveil its newest environmental-themed art installation, "Vital," showcasing the captivating creations and pigments of the renowned artist and activist John Sabraw. The Center for the Environment is excited to unveil its newest environmental-themed art installation, "Vital," showcasing the captivating creations and pigments of the renowned artist and activist John Sabraw. **About the Artist:** John Sabraw was born in Lakenheath, England. An activist and environmentalist, Sabraw’s paintings, drawings, and collaborative installations are produced in an eco-conscious manner, and he continually works toward a fully sustainable practice. He collaborates with scientists on many projects, and one of his current collaborations involves creating paint and paintings from iron oxide extracted in the process of remediating polluted streams. This sustainably sourced pigment is now for sale as a 3-tube set from Gamblin Artists Colors. Sabraw’s art is in numerous collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Honolulu, the Elmhurst Museum in Illinois, Emprise Bank, Bank of America, and Accenture Corp. He is represented by McCormick Gallery, Chicago, IL; Qualia Contemporary Art, Palo Alto, CA. Sabraw is a professor of art at Ohio University where he chairs the Painting + Drawing and Digital Art + Technology programs and is Board Advisor at Scribble Art Workshop in New York. He has most recently been featured in TED, Smithsonian, *New Scientist*, London, Great Big Stories, Business Insider, and *Time*. **About the Exhibition:** "Vital" beckons viewers to embark on a visually captivating journey through the realms of color and conservation. Sabraw's pioneering methods draw upon pigments extracted from polluted water sources. Every piece within this collection reverberates with a deep reverence for the natural world, carrying a potent message of sustainability and renewal. His abstract explorations center on the interconnectedness of Earth's ecosystems and our place within this intricate tapestry. In this body of work, painstaking painting methods are coaxed into interacting and amalgamating over durations of up to several months. The result is complex, luminous, mysterious paintings that strike a beautiful balance between controlled and organic processes. Sabraw works with earth minerals referring to their past while asking questions about their future: using iron oxides extracted from contemporary pollution. Many abandoned coal mines fill with water which reacts with sulfides and mineral surfaces producing high concentrations of sulfuric acid and iron—acid mine drainage pollution (AMD). His team created a refining process, by which AMD can continuously be treated, restoring streams to support aquatic life. Iron oxide pigment is in the treatment process and can be sold to offset the clean-up costs. He incorporates coal and other sedimentary rock—fossil fuels that represent the source of so much damage in our waterways. The juxtaposition of these works brings an intimacy to the Anthropocene, connecting-the-dots, spurring direct action. *Visit HUCE to see "Vital" and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Sabraw will join us on campus for a talk about his process, inspiration, and perspectives later in the Spring 2023 term. Stay tuned for more details.* *For more information and to explore Sabraw’s full collection of work, visit his website: [https://www.johnsabraw.com/](http://www.jerieisenberg.com/).* See also:- [ HUCE Headlines ](/news-type/huce-headlines) - [ Arts & Humanities ](/research-areas/arts-and-humanities) - [ Ecology & Biodiversity ](/research-areas/ecology-and-biodiversity) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)