Interpretation

‘Paradise Lost’, created using
traditional wax model making techniques, has been made from honey bee wax
provided by Dr. Scott McArt, Assistant Professor at the College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences, Cornell University, New York.

The wax, newly produced by bees in their hives during apple
pollination, was collected from Orchard “B” in New York State and analysed at
the Cornell Chemical Ecology Core Facility. It was found to contain pesticide
residues above the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) and the EFSA
(European Food Safety Authority) acute contact exposure levels of concern for
honey bees.

As ‘Paradise Lost’ contains traces of these agricultural chemicals, they have
been listed as artist’s materials.

Wax has been used by artists as a medium in the creation of scientific models
for education and teaching since the late 17th century and botanical wax model
making reached a height of popularity during the advent of the public museum in
the 19th century. The translucency and lifelike quality of the material enabled
artists to create realistic and beautiful representations of plants, fruit and
fungi for gallery displays, in order to engage visitors with pioneering
scientific discovery.

Based on a Gala apple, a popular
variety in New York State, the work continues this tradition, aiming to raise
awareness of world-leading research into the widespread use of agricultural
chemicals and the transfer of these chemicals from agricultural crops to
pollinators, promoting discussion on the man-made issues which have contributed
to the global decline of pollinating insects.

‘Paradise Lost’ is ultimately created in reference to the epic
work by English poet John Milton first published in 1667, telling the biblical
tale of the Fall of Mankind, the Forbidden Fruit and Adam and Eve’s expulsion
from the Garden of Eden, scenes frequently illustrated by master artists from
the past, reinterpreted in this instance in an innovative contemporary
way.