An Ecotopian Lexicon - Ildsjel Illustration

This book presents thirty novel terms that do not yet exist in English to envision ways of responding to the environmental challenges of our generation. Proceeding from the notion that dominant Western cultures lack the terms and concepts to describe or respond to our environmental crisis, this collaborative volume of short, engaging essays offers ecologically productive terms to inspire responses to fossil-fueled neoliberal capitalism. Each of the thirty suggested “loanwords” helps us imagine how to adapt and even flourish in the face of socioecological adversity.

2019

Matthew Schneider-Mayerson and Brent Ryan Bellamy, Editors
Foreword by Kim Stanley Robinson

Published by the University of Minnesota Press

I illustrated for the Ildsjeler chapter written by Karen O’Brien and Ann Kristin Schorre.

Below is my artist statement from the book:

Upon my introduction to the word ildsjel, a series of faces flashed in my mind; the ildsjeler in my own life.  There was no ambiguity in locating them - they are truly the brightest lanterns and swiftly emerged as a constellation in my mind. 

I knew I wanted to paint some kind of human architecture.   The ildsjel was to be the foundation linking all of the individuals to each other and grounding them to the earth.  After painting a configuration of people embracing in a wreath of mutual support, I made a star encircled by a band of energy.  Without consciously realizing it, I painted a compass.   I had envisioned some kind of ring of energy or orbit above the Ildsjel., as when a community comes together for a common cause it can create a focused flow of energy that gains momentum at a rate that surpasses our potential as individuals.  As Karen O’Brien and Ann Kristin Schorre write in their chapter, “An ildsjel must get the fire to spread” in order to get enough flow swirling enough in the community to draw others in.

There is a quiet legacy of ildsjeler who have been able to refocus and redirect us with their actions.  Their footsteps illuminate a previously unmarked path on which the rest of us may find better footing, widen our vision, and become more aware of the impact of our actions. In creating this image, I wish to honor the “fire spirits” of the ildsjeler past, present, and future.