Symbiocene
- Winsome Jobling

The name Anthropocene accepts that our species has become a predominant planetary force. We have forgotten that we are deep-rooted in a much older more powerful world, whose constancy we have taken for granted. Have we humans become the agents of a dire future that will be greater than ourselves?

The name Symbiocene emphasizes the interdependence and mutuality of living things.

If we show more respect to the natural world and the complex interconnections between all things with a greater empathy, our interactions might be tempered by a deeper understanding rather than viewing the world as exploitable object.

Our dated economic model of supply and demand treats the environment as an infinite resource and as a sink for emissions and waste rather than meeting the needs of all within the means of the planet.

The alchemy of photosynthesis converts the invisible into the visible, transforming the elements earth, air, fire, and water into solid plant tissue and the cellulose fibre for papermaking. My raw materials are my environment; plants are nurtured, weeds are transformed and sustainability is key.

Many of these works were made in response to a theme to choose a work for an exhibition in London to coincide with the official naming of the next geological time scale – The Anthropocene.

Our Earth has existed for 45 million centuries, but this century is special: it’s the first when one species – ours – has the planet’s future in its hands.

Professor Lord Rees OM FRS Hon FREng Hon FMedSci, Astronomer Royal.

Winsome Jobling
Darwin based artist Winsome Jobling works primarily with handmade paper and experimental printmaking as well …
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