August 26, 2025
As we have taken over more than three-quarters of the planet’s land surface, we are left to ask: if this expansion continues, where else can wildlife live? Fragmented patches of forest, shrinking wetlands, and isolated reserves are all that remain for many species, yet even these are under constant pressure from our activities. Without intact habitats, migration routes collapse, genetic diversity declines, and tensions between humans and wildlife intensify—though it is always wildlife that bears the heavier cost.
We admire animals for their beauty and behaviors, yet our fascination often overlooks the fact that they cannot exist in isolation. Their survival depends on intact habitats that provide food, shelter, breeding grounds, and stability for future generations. Each animal is part of a trophic pyramid, a food web in which plants, prey species, and predators form layers of energy transfer, where the collapse of one layer inevitably affects the others. No ecosystem exists on its own—forests, rivers, oceans, and even deserts are interconnected, and disruptions in one system ripple outward to many others. For this reason, the animals we love and enjoy watching will only continue to exist if the broader ecological structures that sustain them are preserved. Without such preservation, our admiration becomes little more than a sentiment without real-world impact.
Even without thinking about exotic animals living in jungles or unique environments, we can see that biodiversity exists right where we live. The areas we now inhabit were once forests, meadows, or wetlands that supported countless species. Migrating butterflies and wild bees, such as bumblebees and sweat bees, play essential roles in pollination and plant reproduction. Birds, too, disperse seeds, feed on insects, and fill the air with their activity, while amphibians and small mammals quietly support ecological balance in soils and waterways. These creatures, together with countless others, form the living fabric of local ecosystems. Losing them is not just a loss of beauty or curiosity; it directly weakens the systems that sustain life, including our own food security. In short, the natural world around us, even in urban or suburban areas, is deeply interconnected, and its health is inseparable from our own well-being. While cities may not allow full ecosystem restoration, small green spaces, native plantings, and water sources can support pollinators, birds, and other adaptable wildlife. In suburban areas, backyards and community spaces can further sustain biodiversity, helping maintain the ecological functions that are essential for our well-being.
Ultimately, unless we move beyond our self-granted generosity—the belief that we may take endlessly without consequence—the outcome will be a world where not only wildlife, but we ourselves, find nowhere left to live. True love for animals and nature must therefore be paired with real responsibility for preserving the ecological structures that make life possible.
April 11, 2025
But the importance of plants goes even further. Ecosystems don’t exist in isolation, they’re connected through migrating species, shared waterways, air currents, and global nutrient cycles. This means that the health of one ecosystem can directly affect another. When plant life is degraded in one area, it can disrupt the food sources, shelter, and nutrient dynamics of species that travel across or depend on multiple ecosystems. For example, pollinators, migratory birds, and marine animals rely on healthy plant-based habitats throughout their life cycles. If one link in that chain is broken, the impact can ripple far beyond the original location.
From microscopic algae in the ocean to towering trees in forests, plants form the base layer that makes all higher life possible. They’re not just important for local ecosystems, they act as biological connectors across the planet, holding together complex ecological networks.
March 15, 2025
At the same time, I had a question: how could this bumblebee already know how to handle a European flower like foxglove? I had witnessed this in Montreal, where I live, so I wondered if there might be native tubular flowers in this region with similar shapes.
While thinking about this and walking around, I started noticing how many broad, empty lawns there were, including my own. Habitat loss is one of the biggest reasons for biodiversity loss, and yet, I saw so many places where we could be sharing space with local species. That’s when I realized, I should start learning how to garden. How to grow plants.
January 30, 2025
At the very top center of the graph, it was written “Cézanne provence d. 1906” and I saw that it was linked to Cubism. As I looked up his works, I found his paintings of the mountain Sainte-Victoire. Unlike other landscape paintings, these were not realistic representations. Instead, they had angular forms, resembling Braque’s paintings. Since I wasn’t interested in creating a photographic likeness, his works made me want to know why he painted the way he did.
Cézanne was focusing on structural, geometric approaches for depicting the natural world. He was exploring the underlying structure, form, and relationship of objects in space. By showing an object from both a top view and a side view in the same painting, he was breaking away from traditional linear perspective, which assumes a fixed viewpoint. He sought to capture the "underlying order" of nature, leading to his signature technique of breaking down forms into planes of color and geometry.
I guess the advent and spread of photography may have encouraged him to explore new ways of painting, however, his process of exploration was far from easy. I believe it was undoubtedly a relentless struggle with himself, as he sought to discover a new way of seeing and painting.
Despite that, he persisted, paving the way for a new understanding of art. His exploration and practice played a key role in the development of Cubism and abstract art. Even today, his work continues to teach many artists, including myself, about how to approach one's artistic practice.
October 25, 2024
To begin, I’d like to talk about Bauhaus. I first learned about this art school through Gerrit Rietveld’s Red-Blue Chair, which used similar colors and geometric elements to Mondrian’s work and was invited to participate in the Bauhaus exhibitions. Mondrian was the first artist who drew me into the world of art, and his works mean a lot to me. So, when I saw this chair, it immediately caught my eye, and I wanted to learn more about Bauhaus. Its art and design represent the simplicity of form following function, which I found absolutely fascinating.
The idea of breaking away from traditional forms and eliminating unnecessary elements at the time certainly provided aesthetic direction to Bauhaus. But, I think that the rapid growth of industrialization in German society, along with the shift from traditional craftsmanship to mass production, pushed Bauhaus teachers and students to rethink their roles, and the need to respond to the social and economic upheaval caused by the war impacted the style they developed.
I think art reflects its times, and I find today is similar to the moment when Bauhaus was founded—in both cases, the world faced a necessity for rebuilding. The widespread collapse after the war affected many aspects of society in Germany; meanwhile, the value of traditional craftsmanship was diminished by mass production. Today, we are in the middle of the climate crisis and decline in biodiversity, which requires us to rethink and redesign what is causing these problems. What is the root cause of the rising global temperatures and the growing number of species threatened with extinction?
I think these environmental issues stem from our expansion on this planet, focused only on our own benefit. Our relentless pursuit of human-centered development has led us here, and I think this has been possible because, for a long time, humans have implied that other living organisms are beneath us—something we can easily take if we choose. Also, we often think of them as individual beings rather than as part of interconnected ecosystems. This mindset has led us to expand without consideration, assuming that our actions may affect only a few species, while in reality, the balance of ecosystems becomes susceptible to collapse.
The current environmental challenges inspire my work, and I hope that, one day, more people will recognize other species as equal survivors in the history of life and come to respect their existence.
September 30, 2024
Years later, after moving to Canada, I fell in love with art for its quality of communicating thoughts through artworks. I knew then I wanted to be an artist. But I found myself asking, "What do I want to say?" and "What is my art?"—questions I didn’t yet have the answers to.
So, I began my journey by studying historical artworks that had fascinated me, starting with Mondrian, the first artist who led me to see the beauty in art. From a single artwork, l'd search for related information-other artists who were creating at that time, whether many were working in a similar style, and what drove them to work that way. I had so many questions and was eager to learn.
As I looked into art history, I noticed one thing: artists are influenced by their times and circumstances. I realized I'm no exception to this.
So, I’m going to share why I’m currently working in this way, and talk about the artists or movements that inspired me.
July 21, 2024
What is the root cause of these problems?
I believe it stems from our historical focus on human prosperity. The emergence of these issues, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, followed by agricultural breakthroughs with nitrogen fertilizers, and the subsequent exponential increase in the human population, highlights how human-centric we were until today. It may seem natural for a species to prioritize its own prosperity, which could be seen as human nature. I should acknowledge that I belong to a generation that has benefited significantly from this growth. However, recognizing this past behavior, it is now crucial for us to change.
This understanding inspired me to continue working as an artist, but I realized I should do something more. Something more practical and realistic—something to which I could tangibly contribute. This led me to the idea of starting a design studio, named bleu et orange.
The name 'bleu et orange' embodies the fundamental principle of my studio. Blue and orange are complementary colors; when used together, they create a striking contrast, making each hue more vibrant. This concept reflects what I aim to achieve through design: different elements complementing and enhancing each other. In a narrow sense, this could involve composing objects within the same space. More broadly, it encompasses humans and other species living harmoniously on this planet.
Architecture is a crucial element in this vision because it represents the intersection where nature and human habitation converge. It delineates the interior, a space for human living, from the exterior, a habitat for fellow living beings to dwell. Landscaping the exterior of a building is not merely a choice but an essential element for us. Understanding local plants and placing them can invite more of indigenous insects, birds, and other wildlife.
With this principle in mind, I’m going to share conceptual images of architecture and the surrounding garden in the near future.
July 3, 2024
I learned so much from this experience: some weeds can be local plants that have been present for generations, and I'm the new inhabitant. Native species provide essential habitats and food sources for indigenous insects, birds, and other wildlife, fostering a balanced and thriving ecosystem. Something that I should celebrate and support.
April 29, 2024
There are some science channels that I love, and one of them is BeSmart on Youtube. From their channel, I learned that in the Serengeti, the large population of wildebeest plays a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem. Their extensive grazing helps control grass levels, which in turn reduces the intensity of fires, potentially leading to an increase in tree and bush cover. This change in vegetation can benefit other herbivores, such as giraffes, who depend on tree leaves for food. Wildebeest also aid in nutrient cycling through their migrations, helping to maintain the health of the grasslands. The interactions between wildebeest and their environment demonstrate the interconnectedness of species within this complex ecosystem.
March 23, 2024
Inspired by this idea, I apply colours that reflect the surroundings onto the living beings themselves. Just as an object's colour can be influenced by light sources, shadows, and nearby elements, I wanted to show the interconnected relationships of living organisms within an ecosystem through colour relationships.
March 25, 2024
This discovery led me to explore the vital role of soil beyond just plant nutrients. I learned that soil is teeming with microorganisms that are crucial for its health. These tiny organisms, including bacteria and fungi, play a pivotal role in the soil ecosystem. They decompose organic matter, enhance nutrient availability, and support plant growth. Understanding how these microorganisms interact with the soil has been eye-opening. I now appreciate how fostering a diverse and healthy soil community can restore vitality to the land and support a more balanced and thriving garden.
November 5, 2023
Despite the progress industrialization has brought, it has also given rise to significant challenges—such as the climate crisis and biodiversity loss—that were not immediately visible. Understanding these issues has taken time for me, as they involve deeply interconnected systems that are incredibly complex to address. For example, halting the fossil fuel industry isn't simple, as it would disrupt countless aspects of modern life. Likewise, industrial agriculture, despite its efficiency in feeding large populations, comes with significant environmental costs, from biodiversity loss to soil degradation. Yet, altering these systems isn’t straightforward, as food production must remain stable and affordable. This complexity makes it difficult to swiftly change unsustainable practices, despite their environmental impacts. The more I learned about these interwoven complexities, the more I felt guilty and hopeless. To be honest, I wanted to remain unaware of them, but I couldn't. I wish these problems would get more attention from a lot more people, and that the related agreements would be treated even more seriously.
October 17, 2023
In the previous assessments, the main threats to amphibian decline other than disease were linked to human activities, such as habitat loss, degradation and over-exploitation. However, in the second assessment, the primary driver of threats to extinction crisis is shifting from disease to the emerging threat of climate change. Because climate-related problems such as decreased rainfall, soil humidity and droughts can desiccate the eggs.
Although these problems made me feel frustrated, there were some hopeful cases where effective habitat protection and management led to some improvement in the status of threatened species. What makes me so sad is that, although we are aware of the impending crisis, amphibians are unable to foresee these threats themselves, and there is no spokesperson for their species. It is our job to speak up for their situation.
I genuinely appreciate all the authors for this article on Nature and everyone who works for conservation. As one of the species on this planet, I feel a deep sense of responsibility.
October 2, 2023
Within and between ecosystems, species are living in the complex ecological balance that has developed over long periods as they adapted to their environments. Rapid extinction of species can disrupt this balance and increase ecosystem vulnerability. Currently, the rate of species extinction far exceeds the natural rate, raising serious concerns about the long-term stability of ecosystems and the future of humanity itself.
September 28, 2023
Yesterday, I went to the Outremont Theatre to learn about the climate crisis. And because my interest has focused only on evolutionary biology and ecology, my bookcase was filled up with those categories but I bought my first books about climate crisis.
Thanks to David Wallace-Wells and Amitav Ghosh for the insightful conversation and for letting me realize the current situation with the climate crisis.
Thanks to Art Speaks for planning and preparing for this valuable conference in Montreal.
May 2, 2026
Habitat loss is rarely a sudden disappearance. Instead, it unfolds through the slow erosion and fragmentation of ecosystems. By recognizing what our modern lifestyle quietly erases, we begin to see our homes and workplaces differently. We aren't just occupying a spot, we are occupying a space that was once a thriving stronghold for other lives.
The forests at the edge of our vision are the last refuges for the neighbors we've displaced. They serve as a silent reminder that our presence here has come at the cost of entire ecosystems.
So, I am beginning a sculptural practice that involves creating an interactive installation that reveals the native species that once lived in the places where we continue our everyday lives. This work extends my existing practice of depicting species through mark-making by translating these marks into three-dimensional forms designed not only to be seen but also to be physically occupied and sat upon. As a Canadian, I begin by studying the native species of this region and producing rendered installations situated within Canadian urban environments.
Building further on this, I develop digitally constructed gardens that prioritize native plants and pollinators. Within these spaces, I create sculptural forms representing species that once contributed to the formation of local ecosystems.
The work reveals how the region was once shaped by ecological relationships, while also positioning humans as active regulators within these systems, capable of influencing the survival and balance of other species. By engaging with the sculptures through sitting and interaction, viewers are invited to experience their position within the planet’s trophic pyramid, where human presence occupies a dominant ecological layer.
The aim of this practice is not to evoke guilt toward humans, but to foster an awareness of the current ecological condition. Through interaction with sculptural forms representing other species, viewers are invited to recognize the ecological structures upon which human prosperity is built, and what has been displaced in the process. We are both contributors to habitat loss and, at the same time, we hold the key to changing it.