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Lo'op' (It burns)
Though Lo’op (It burns) features an abstracted representation of a landscape, the painting’s vertical orientation signals the artist’s intent that the work be understood as a portrait. Saif Azzuz posits a worldview where the connection between humans and the land we inhabit is inseparable. The painting’s vibrant palette derives inspiration from maps depicting the 2020 California wildfires. This choice not only underscores the environmental impact of these catastrophic events, increasingly attributed to climate change and inadequate land management, but also serves as an implicit critique. Thematically highlighting the Yurok Tribe’s tradition of cultural burning, Azzuz advocates for an Indigenous approach as a viable means of land stewardship. These controlled burns, contrary to exacerbating wildfires, promote healthier eco-systems by reducing excessive kindling and enhancing soil fertility. Moreover, they facilitate the growth of straight shoots, which are ideal for traditional basket-weaving practices, thus intertwining cultural heritage with sustainable environmental practices.
- Artist
- Saif Azzuz
- Title
- Lo'op' (It burns)
- Date
- 2021
- Place of Creation
- California
- Object Type
- Painting
- Medium
- Acrylic and enamel on canvas
- Dimensions
- 80 x 60 in. (203.2 x 152.4 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase, a gift from The Svane Family Foundation
- Accession Number
- 2022.26.21