Carolin Wood

Bio

Carolin’s art is strongly influenced by the matriarchal presence of her adoptive grandmother, the fellowship of her foster sisters, and the nurturing natural surroundings of her childhood in rural Ohio. Her work continues to explore the role of feminine energy as a major force in community-keeping.

She channels the maternal aspect in her current series, which is inextricably bound to her struggle against the shadow of patriarchy, both as a single mother striving to raise empathetic children and as a lifelong gardener (currently for New York City Parks) who believes safe, green space is an integral part of community.

Statement

Increasingly, public spaces in the city are becoming fewer and fewer. Private ownership, high-rise development, and gentrification have severely limited the number of public spaces in favor of private amenities and tourist centers, which discourages participation from the local community.

Aside from disregarding the impact of urban density on the lives of local residents, gentrification of the outer boroughs is gradually eradicating shared spaces and, along with it, the concept of community.

Carolin’s art explores the concept of wild spaces and “messy,” pre-gentrified communities through the lens of an artist as a single mother. Her work advocates for community spaces so she can raise her children to have access to the same nurturing natural environment that she had growing up.