I am afraid this ship is on fire

The purpose of this report is to examine core themes of my artistic practice: human relationships with nature and knowledge, trace influences of related ideas from the history of science and philosophy on my studio process, and a body of work I completed over the last two years. I examine the roots of my interest in metaphors of nature to analyze my approach to object- and video-making. I note and discuss the shift from formal ways of knowing and making towards an embodied practice grounded in hands-on knowledge of the landscape and history of the American West. I provide context for language and material references used in the work to hint at the danger of recurring expansionist narratives and reductionist views of the natural world throughout history. Additionally, I describe the epistemological approach I have adopted as an important part of my studio practice.