“I am inspired by the duality of this landscape. This monumental sculpted mountain is created by man’s lust for the beauty of gold and our dependency on efficient metals. This landscape is the honest result of our consumer culture. The gold is deemed more valuable than this intact landscape. As I begin this painting at this site (plein air), just east of the mine, I see the sunrise light up this mountain, revealing the mined terraces and dramatic forms. I love being here, seeing this landscape, observing this site….
A 1983 incident involved the failure of a retaining wall at a tailings impoundment, resulting in the spill of millions of gallons of cyanide and heavy metals-laced water, contaminating groundwater and nearby farms.
The tar-encaustic paint under the gold leaf represents these materials and their effect on the biotic community.” – Nolan Salix