The focus of Natalia Kapchuk’s art is the beauty of the nature and the ecological threats the world is now facing.
The artist uses her art to champion causes that resonate with all of us, bringing our attention to the pollution and ills of climate change threatening our world today. The creative artistic process starts with extensive research on the topics of global warming, the pollution of the ocean through plastic and other destructive behaviors impacting nature.
As a result, the artist expresses the message that humanity should think more about environmental protections and the conservation of natural resources.
The Lost Planet collection of mixed media artworks emphasizes how the effects of human actions are changing and destroying nature.
“Plastic pollution is without doubt one of the major threats to our planet, and thus we need to tackle it through innovate angles. I believe that Arts have the power of touching people’s hearts, and that’s why we’re delighted to be part of Natalia’s exhibition and to help her to create an impact and to inspire many individuals to become change makers.”
— Juan Castaño Vilas, Regional Director, Plastic Oceans Europe, 2021
“The global environmental problems we face are caused by billions of individual acts and decisions — we are all in this together. Earthwatch, as a science-based organization works across sectors of society to motivate change through creating knowledge and inspiring action. Using art as a means of communicating the issues we face increases the numbers and diversity of people we can reach on these issues. We are therefore, thrilled to be part of Natalia’s exhibition.”
— Dr Neil Bailey, Director of Philanthropy, Earthwatch Europe, 2021.
Divine Gaia, 2022
Diameter 120 cm, Mixed Media
Across many civilizations and cultures, various colors represent powerful meanings and symbolism. Take, for instance, the multifaceted color blue. In ancient Egypt, the color blue was considered able to ward off evil spirits, often adorned by Egyptian rulers and Pharaohs as a sign of royalty. Similarly, in Greek antiquity, the Ancient Greeks believed that the impactful nature of blue also had the ability to thwart wicked spirits, providing them with protection and safety. Because of this belief, even in Greece today, it is a custom practice to paint all doors and window frames blue for safeguard.
In her piece, Divine Gaia, artist Natalia Kapchuk displays the world's waterways in rich blue hues complemented by the gold luster of the continents shown. Illustrating the world's oceans in such a way conveys the various symbols the color blue represents; peace, tranquillity, inspiration, freedom, sensitivity, and conservancy. The artist covered the landforms of the Earth in gold leaf to emphasize the richness of our land and the naturally occurring materials produced as a result, like oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone, and other natural resources.
The intangible quality of blue and the primordial nature of the planet was the key focus in the creation of the Divine Gaia. Though the waters and skies of Earth mirror such a color, it is unattainable—merely visible. To imagine such a world where the beauty and value of our home is unsullied by human intervention is ideal. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Kapchuk expresses the urgent need to
protect our precious ecosystems from destructive forces like plastic pollution, ocean acidification, over-fishing, destruction of natural habitats, poaching, fracking, deforestation, etc., by presenting our shared home as it should be and not how it is today.