Ice Show
Ice Show is about climate change through the metaphor of icebergs and icy landscapes. This show at MarinMOCA ran from April 2, 2022 to June 5, 2022. It featured ten large-scale paintings, several smaller works and sculptural pieces by Marin-based artist Bill Russell. Each artwork displays a descriptive narrative, unique to this issue that affects us all.
Bill has educated himself on the current science of climate change, which has become the substantive subject matter in his painting… a subtext which is both tragic and educational.
Through his creative practice, he endeavors to tell the story of how global warming has expedited the creation of icebergs. He communicates this urgent story in his art, in a way that resonates, educates, and motivates.
One painting called The Deluge, shows the white, hot sun bearing down through a depleted atmosphere and icebergs set adrift from the melting polar ice cap. The rising sea waters devour container ships, Noah’s Ark, the mythic Kraken, the Titanic and other icons of our culture. It’s an apocalyptic vision that builds upon Bill’s interest in human-influenced ecology.
On a recent trip to Iceland, Bill was inspired to paint Aurora Borealis and Glacial Till, which shows the Northern Lights casting a green glow on the glacial till laid down by the river created by the rapidly melting Vatnajökull Ice Cap.
The center of the gallery space contains several sculptural pieces of the metaphorical iceberg, that incorporate data about the science and scope of global warming.
Some small iceberg paintings are available for purchase at the All Things Bill Store.
A Selection of Paintings:
Iceberg Data:
How do icebergs form?
Icebergs form when chunks of ice break off or ‘calve’, from glaciers, ice shelves, or a larger iceberg.
How many icebergs are there?
Every year about 40,000 medium to large-sized icebergs break off, or calve, from just Greenland glaciers alone. Only about 400-800 make it as far south as Newfoundland.
How old is a piece of iceberg ice?
Icebergs are made up of glacial ice and can be up to 15,000 years old.
How big can icebergs get?
Currently Iceberg A-76 in Antarctic is the world’s largest floating iceberg. It’s 110 miles long and 16 miles wide. But a growler is over 3 ft. with a length over 16 ft. and a bergy bit is 3 to 13 ft. in height.
How long do icebergs last?
They can last a few weeks or more than a year or even longer, depending on their size.
Art-making and Climate Distress:
Watch and listen to a Zoom conversation here between artist Bill Russell and art therapist Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, MFT, ATR about the role of art-making in the face of the climate crisis and the therapeutic benefits of art-based inner work in dealing with climate distress, moderated by Amy Owen, executive Director of MarinMOCA. Use passcode: 18$fUkvk
Read Ten ways to confront the climate crisis without losing hope by Rebecca Solnit here.
Resources:
- Find an iceberg by visiting the U.S National Ice Center.
- Ice Show info at MarinMOCA
- Climate Change Resources for Parents
- Artists & Climate Change
- Bill writes about Icebergs in Art
- Artists sketch and tell climate stories
- Kids’ Art for Climate Justice
- David Suzuki Foundation
- Hey kids! Download and try out these fun iceberg coloring book pages and games.
- Email Bill Russell
Icebergs Poster:
This limited edition 24”h. by 18”w. poster by artist Bill Russell shows twelve iceberg paintings and is available for purchase at the All Things Bill store.
Iceberg Data Cards:
