Christina Hollering is a cut paper artist who observes how humanity and nature overlap. There are many incredible aspects to Contrived as a show, but the selections of colors are particularly awe-inspiring. Hollering utilizes neons and glow-in-the-dark pigments in her work in a way that highlights the unnatural aspects of human life leaching into the natural world. Reinforcements displays a radioactive scene. Trees bound by rope–gray and lifeless–sit waiting to be planted somewhere far from their original homes; resting on an almost insect-like spill of fluorescent greens. Perhaps these neons stand for a sort of psychological pesticide plaguing not only man but the soil they build upon too.

*Reinforcements*
Cut paper, and colored pencil
13in x 19in

Even the use of paper as the primary material could act as a commentary on humanity and its connection with nature. Hollering wants to draw attention to the ways that people have turned nature into something they want it to be, something to be controlled. This forceful shaping of the environment is a theme throughout the show. Property Value demonstrates this not only through its title. A lone plant sits, transparent and ghastly, the harsh black of the industrial fencing showing through. The complex has taken root in the background, replacing stems with steel.

*Property Value*
Cut paper, Mylar, vinyl and spray paint
7in x 7in

Hollering does not depict a joyous utopia with these pieces. Instead, she urges the viewer to take a step back and observe the relationship that they themselves are cultivating with Mother Nature. A series of Lake and Waterfront images urge us to open the blinds and really look at what is happening around us. Each of these pieces represents an actual location from the artist's life, further reinforcing the idea that ecological damage isn't just being done in the far stretches of the globe; it is happening in our own backyards.

*Waterfront Property 6*
Screenprint and cut paper
26in x 20in

Contrived is on display in the Speck Gallery for the month of September.