Discover the Natural World with Charley Harper
Charley Harper spent his life deeply committed to ecological causes and the science behind ecology. Through his art, he supported numerous causes within that realm. Human beings are all linked together through the experiences they have on the planet, and an ecological issue in one area of the world is not limited to that area’s population. These types of issues know no physical or geographical boundaries. Soticgyruter Through his work “Wings of the World,” Charley showed how nature is not focused on national borders and that preserving the environment should be something on each person’s mind, no matter where in the world they live.
The Places Charley Loved
Charley worked his magic to show the value of ecological issues in a lot of different places. Some notable places include:
- Glacier Bay
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Numerous National Parks
Most of his subject matter was carefully and thoughtfully focused on the natural world, whether that was through the creation of works based on animals or plants. One of Charley’s most noticeable attributes was his ability to capture the beauty of each place that inspired him. His vision was strong, and he was able to preserve what he saw in the places he visited. The rich landscapes and scenic vistas were all brought to life by Charley’s expert hands. So were the animals he loved – especially the birds. With his beautiful, minimalist style, he was once quoted as saying: “I never count the feathers in the wings; I just count the wings.”
Charley’s Stance on Global Warming
One of his most passionate topics was Global Warming. While others debated whether it was real and who or what might have caused it, Charley was busy creating artwork that showed the damage that was being caused and how valuable the creatures were whose habitats were being irreparably damaged by the changing climate. The decline of migratory birds was also a passion of Charley’s. His “Mystery of the Missing Migrants” highlights this issue, and the plight of the birds as their numbers continued to thin and shrink.
Biodiversity
Charley showcased the biodiversity of the planet in many of his works, ensuring that those who viewed them and learned about his stance on ecological issues would never be the same. Developing an understanding of an issue is the first step toward solving it, and Charley wanted people to understand. Even something as seemingly simple as changes in the numbers and patterns of migrating birds have a significant effect on other areas of the ecosystem. In turn, changes to that ecosystem further affect the birds. It becomes an advancing and unending cycle, and Charley was dedicated to making sure people realized that.
