Throwing away the New York skyline, 2023

This artwork is inspired by council pick-up event on the South Coast of NSW. Platts was drawn to the stark contrast between commonplace household items and the towering trees that served as their backdrop. These objects seemed notably vulnerable, exposed to the elements as they patiently awaited collection and disposal. Over time, they gradually melded with the surrounding landscape, blurring the boundaries between the man-made and the natural. In this encounter, the Platts was also drawn to the profound implications of our throwaway culture. The sheer volume of waste intruding upon this otherwise pristine environment served as a poignant reminder of the urgent environmental challenges we confront, including climate change and the unbridled consumerism that exacerbates it. Through this work, the Platts aims to examine the interplay between human consumption and the natural world, reflecting on the consequences of humanity and its enduring impact on the environment.

Lily Platts (she/her) is a visual artist living and working in rural NSW. Lily explores themes of the everyday and is drawn to the way that humanity is reflected within the objects she paints.