2018
Painted with Lingzhi mushroom spores collected from my cultivated mushroom sculptures
The ancient Chinese value of “物尽其用” or “making the most out of resources and not wasting anything” is highly relevant in today’s world, particularly in the context of sustainability. This principle aligns with the idea of reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources in order to preserve the environment for future generations. The process of collecting the spores and mixing them with a glue agent to create a paint allows for the utilization of a natural resource that would otherwise be discarded.
Furthermore, the use of spores as a pigment can also be seen as a way to honor and celebrate the vital aspect of nature. Like seeds, spores play an important role in the reproduction and survival of mushrooms. Using them as a medium for art can be viewed as a way to acknowledge and appreciate the potential for new life and growth that they possess.