Much like Birds Watching, Jenny Kendler’s permanent sculpture on the 606 depicting one hundred eyes of birds threatened by extinction, the interdisciplinary artist keeps her eyes wide open to the impact people have on the environment. Her work focuses on the relationship between human beings and the natural world—especially concerning biodiversity loss and climate change. When it comes to the fashion industry, she doesn’t turn a blind eye either. “The garment industry is responsible for 8 percent of warming emissions, making it a bigger contributor to the climate crisis than the aviation industry,” she says. “In addition to significant pollution from farming nonorganic cotton, heavy-metal containing dyes, and synthetics made from fossil fuels, the garment industry is also responsible for massive worker abuses and exploitation across the globe. When you don’t think about where you shop, your clothing can accidentally become a statement about your inattention to justice in the world.”
Jenny Kendler’s work can be seen at jennykendler.com and on Instagram at @jennykendler. Her first museum solo exhibition will be on display at the MSU Broad in Michigan from January 9 through late spring next year. She wants to bring attention to a petition concerning the fashion industry at Stand.earth.
