Jevon’s Paradox on the Ogallala

2023, Edition of 8, each print is unique. Relief  and Mokuhanga printing, collage, iron oxide and ink from prairie grass on Hahnemühle Copperplate 31.5 x 23.5 inches

In economics, Jevons's paradox occurs when technological progress increases the efficiency with which a resource is used, but the rate of consumption of that resource rises because of increasing demand. Jevons's paradox is perhaps the most widely known paradox in environmental economics. Wikipedia

Jevon’s Paradox on the Ogallala was created during a fall residence at M. T. Liggett Art Environment, Mullenville KS. The paper was first placed on the ground for 10 days covered with decaying vegetation. An edition of eight prints were created by collaging the found scrapes of Liggett’s sculpture and prairie vegetation to reflect on the vastness of the landscape, wind and sky, with the stark gray of cut wheat and corn grown through the process of drawing water from the Ogallala reservoir and rates of 30+ gallons/acre foot.