The sounds of a jungle chorus is a difficult symphony to put in to words. With the waves of the ocean faint in the background, a tapestry of noises where the non-humans of North and South America living in a complex environment, waxe and wane. In April 2022 I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to spend some time in one of the richest biomes in remote Panama on the edge of the Darien Jungle. I lived in a village with the indigenous Kuna’s who live in close ties with nature. Their mythology about the natural world so central to their lives that the women embroidered this in to their clothing. I am not here to tell their story, as it is not mine to tell; but rather my own experiences with the non-humans I encountered there.
SAIBA - All Bones Turn to Dust, offers a captivating insight into the artistic process of Amy Dover whose works focus on our perspective of non-human animals in our every disappearing world. Drawing inspiration from her residency living in a remote Panamanian village with the Indigenous Kuna community, situated between the world's most dangerous jungle and a tumultuous sea, Dover's art confronts speciesism perspectives on non-human animals and the often macabre and cruel hand of humans. The name Saiba was the name given to Dover by the head of the tribal council, or Saila; and means mermaid.
Through intricate detailed drawings, printmaking and her preparatory from the jungle, Dover presents a body of work that seeks to raise important questions. Her fine art practice aims to re-wild humans by fostering a greater connection with nature and exploring whether art can aid in the conservation of non-human animals. The exhibition challenges visitors to reframe non-human animals through visual art to disarm speciesism, creating empathy and love to evoke an emotional response to animals and creating a deeper connection for humans. With non-human animals often being constricted to their representation in human culture, captivity, the pages of a book, or lost to the world altogether.
On deeper inspection, Dover's initially beautiful drawings often make the viewer feel uncomfortable, as they confront the harsh realities of the relationship between humans and the natural world. Visitors are often being watched back, as the art forces them to confront their own biases and assumptions about the animal kingdom.This solo exhibition asks important questions, such as whether representations of non-human animals shape our perceptions, and what visual and cultural constructs are used to create speciesism and aspects of the "other." By presenting new ways of drawing and printmaking of other animals, Dover hopes to inspire a drive to save species that may be lost forever.
