| Leonardo/ISASTwith Arizona State University

Gloria Florez

Artistat Gloria Florez Studio
Gloria Florez
CHRUCH POINT,
Australia
Focus area: Environmental Art, Eco Art, Land Art

Gloria Florez is a Colombian-Australian artist whose creative journey intertwines with a profound commitment to environmental stewardship. With a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) by research from the University of Sydney, alongside a BVA Honours from the National Art School Sydney, Gloria's academic foundation seamlessly merges with her passion for the natural world.
Since her graduation in 2015, Gloria has embarked on an exploration of the intersection between art, science, and conservation. Her art practice serves as a canvas upon which she paints narratives of environmental urgency, drawing attention to the delicate balance between humanity and nature.
Nestled within the Garigal Country on the Western Foreshores of Pittwater, Australia, Gloria's life unfolds amid the eucalyptus forests and the rhythmic dance of wind, rain, tides, and fire seasons, finding both inspiration and purpose.
Central to Gloria's artistic mission is The Forest Ambassadors Project, initiated in 2019 as a collaborative effort to cultivate environmental awareness and activism. This ongoing endeavour has garnered recognition in Australia the BigCi Environmental Award, in California the Leonardo at Djerassi Residency, and in Taiwan at the International Biennial for Paper Fibre Art EARTH SPEAK: Giving Voice to Paper.
As an artist and environmentalist, Gloria endeavours to weave a tapestry of connection, uniting diverse communities under the banner of environmental stewardship. From traditional custodians to children, artists to scientists, her work resonates across boundaries, fostering dialogue and action in the pursuit of a thriving natural world.

Journal Articles:
Leonardo Gallery

Leonardo@Djerassi 2023: Gallery

June 2024

Podcasts

Body:

A little over a week has passed since my arrival at the Leonardo@Djerassi Residency. As I began unpacking my eucalyptus forest-like installation, a question that has long intrigued me, even before departing from Australia, continues to resonate in my mind: why and how has the Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus Globulus) become so prevalent in California's landscape? Despite its non-native status, this tree species has deeply ingrained itself within the fabric of both California's culture and its physical environment, while also being associated with the ferocity of the state's bushfires.