Surface and Undercurrents: influences from Iceland, the Arctic & the Anthropocene is a collaborative group exhibition by seven North Carolina artists. We developed the themes for this show during our artist retreat in the north of Iceland in summer 2023. Each of us brings a focus on issues related to human-caused climate change and environmental responsibility, from the rise of invasive species (including humans!), the toll of polluting industries, melting of the glaciers and sea-level rise, technology, and the impact of tourism, over-fishing, and over-consumption.
These are challenges that face not only the Arctic region and Iceland, but also here at home in North Carolina. We are linked by weather patterns (our hurricanes often end up in Iceland), water movement (the Gulf Stream and the global conveyor belt that circulates cold and warm water), shared economic industries (tourism and fishing are the primary industries in Iceland and the Outer Banks), and the fragility of our ecosystems. The works in this exhibition all wrestle with these complex issues.