About The Artist
Zoe Borth (b. 1998, Germany, she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist and environmental storyteller whose work bridges the gap between photography, sculpture, and sustainability. Driven by a passion for exploring the intersection of human innovation and nature’s resilience, Zoe creates thought-provoking narratives that challenge perceptions of consumerism and environmental impact. Art has always been a central part of Zoe’s life, evolving from an early interest in photography into a multidisciplinary journey of growth. Her artistic vision thrives on experimentation - developing new techniques, exploring material processes, and discovering how different disciplines can intersect. Projects like Life Finds a Way and Occupational Hazard embody the spirit of exploration, transforming discarded materials into meaningful statements on environmental sustainability.
Whether sculpting lifelike props from clay, aging objects to appear weathered by time, or capturing the intricate textures of organic growth through photography, Zoe’s approach combines meticulous craftsmanship with conceptual storytelling. Each project reflects her commitment to both artistic innovation and the planet, sparking conversations about sustainability and the delicate balance between progress and preservation. By weaving together elements of art and environmental awareness, her work invites viewers to reconsider the legacy of the objects they leave behind.
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Statement
In an age defined by relentless technological innovation and the rapid consumption of goods, Life Finds a Way examines the quiet reclamation of human detritus by nature. This project brings together discarded technologies - symbols of obsolescence and consumerism - and explores how nature reclaims these once-coveted objects, turning them into relics of forgotten progress. Through this work, I invite viewers to reflect on the transient nature of technological advancements and their environmental consequences.
At its core, Life Finds a Way visualizes the tension between humanity's pursuit of progress and the organic world’s quiet resistance. The project is influenced by Timothy Morton’s concept of “dark ecology,” which challenges the notion that technology and nature are separate forces. In each image, decaying devices - such as smartphones, cameras, and watches - are overtaken by moss, fungi, and other organic growth (Morton, 2012). This juxtaposition of human-made and natural elements blurs the boundaries between the artificial and the organic, inviting a meditation on the interconnectedness of these realms.
Drawing on Naomi Klein’s critique of capitalism, this project also reflects the environmental toll of a system built on rapid innovation and planned obsolescence (Klein, 2015). The decaying technologies depicted in my images serve as metaphors for the consequences of unchecked consumption, where progress leaves behind physical and ecological waste. Life Finds a Way critiques the cyclical nature of consumerism, reminding us that the objects we prize today will one day become forgotten waste, left to be reclaimed by nature.
This project also reflects Rob Nixon’s concept of “slow violence,” where environmental damage is often invisible, incremental, and delayed (Nixon, 2013). In each image, the slow encroachment of moss or fungi over once-pristine devices serves as a metaphor for this invisible, long-term impact. The stillness and quiet nature of the imagery underscore the gradual pace at which nature reclaims human spaces and technology, subtly confronting viewers with the hidden consequences of their consumption.
In the context of creative photography, this project finds its place in the tradition of artists who engage with themes of decay, obsolescence, and the environment. Like Mandy Barker’s work on plastic pollution, Life Finds a Way elevates everyday objects into powerful symbols of environmental degradation (Barker, n.d.). Through a minimalist approach to composition, I allow textures of decay - rust, moss, and fungi - to dominate the frame, emphasizing the slow but inevitable process of reclamation. These details, presented in large-format prints, invite the viewer to closely examine the tactile qualities of the objects and the organic elements overtaking them.
The process of creating Life Finds a Way was a balance between meticulous planning and organic development; I used extensive mood boards, sketches, and test shoots to explore how best to visually integrate nature with technology. The crafting of props and careful manipulation of natural light became key tools in conveying the project's thematic message. By constructing these decaying objects with attention to texture, I ensured that each image carried its narrative of both human obsolescence and nature’s resilience.
Visually, Life Finds a Way is intended to evoke contemplation. The stark contrast between the vibrancy of organic growth and the decayed technologies emphasizes the fragile balance between progress and the natural world. This minimalist approach allows the objects themselves to take center stage, presenting a quiet yet profound commentary on human impact. The use of large-scale prints, with careful attention to lighting, encourages viewers to engage intimately with the images, exploring the textures and details of both decay and regeneration.
My goal with Life Finds a Way is not simply to critique consumerism, but to offer a meditation on nature’s enduring power to adapt and thrive in the face of human excess. The work challenges viewers to reflect on their relationship with technology, waste, and the environment. Through a combination of visual beauty and intellectual critique, the project serves as a reminder that, despite human attempts to dominate and control nature, it is nature that will ultimately prevail.
This artist statement is not just an introduction to the work; it is an invitation to the audience to reconsider their place in the broader ecological system. By engaging with the subtleties of decay, Life Finds a Way provokes both intellectual and emotional responses, encouraging viewers to reflect on their role within the cycle of creation and destruction. In this sense, the project aims to foster dialogue around the sustainability of our technological and environmental future, prompting us to acknowledge the impact of our progress on the world we share with nature.