"PTERIDOMANIA #4": Where Art Meets Nature's Ferocious Beauty
Apricus Art Collection presents a thought-provoking piece by Steven L. Anderson: "PTERIDOMANIA #4." This spray paint on Bristol artwork, protected with UV varnish, is more than just a visually striking creation. It’s an exploration of the power of nature, the nature of power, and humanity's often-fraught relationship with the environment.
Steven L. Anderson: Atlanta's Artistic Voice
Steven L. Anderson is an Atlanta-based artist, curator, and Co-Director of Day & Night Projects. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work can be found across the country, from Brooklyn's Uncool Gallery, and even in collections of Microsoft, Coca-Cola Inc, Emory University Hospitals, and the National Park Service.
He is a recipient of the 2023 Idea Capital grant, and a two-time winner of the Artists Project Grant from the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. He's been a resident artist at locations in Brooklyn, Baton Rouge, and even Château d’Orquevaux in France!
Unpacking the Meaning Behind the Art
Anderson's "PTERIDOMANIA #4," measuring 19'' x 15'' x 0.75'', is a testament to his skill and vision. Spray paint on Bristol provides a unique textural element, while the UV varnish will allow for the longevity of the piece.
The piece’s title reveals a critical element of the work: “Pteridomania” references an actual historical event - a 19th-century fern craze that decimated plantlife in Great Britain. Anderson is not simply portraying nature, but also commenting on humanity’s capacity to exploit it.
What Does Nature Mean to You?
Anderson’s artwork connects to trees and plants as “an evergreen source of metaphors for how we experience the world.” He seeks to create images that fuse “the exhilaration of the human spirit with the ferocious beauty of Nature to make a palpable, tingling essence.”
This piece pushes viewers to think about the importance of the natural world, as well as our capacity to admire and also destroy its beauty.
