LAURA TANNER, DISH, 2022, INK AND GOUACHE ON HAND-CUT MYLAR
The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’s preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States. You can view the entire report HERE.
Art × Climate is the first art gallery to be featured in the National Climate Assessment. The US Global Change Research Program issued a call for art with the understanding that, together, art and science move people to greater understanding and action. The call received more than 800 submissions, and the final collection features the work of 92 artists. Their work, which represents all 10 NCA regions, offers a powerful depiction of climate change in the United States—its causes and impacts, as well as the strength of our collective response.
'Dish' by Laura Tanner Graham is on of the featured works published in the National Climate Assessment.
'Dish' reflects my ongoing research into eating habits, culinary practices, and social justice in the American South. This has long been a region in flux with the arrival of diverse migrant communities displaced by climatic and social changes. Southern history is reflected in the evolution of its cuisine. I gather oral histories from farmers, chefs, restaurant patrons, and home cooks to better understand the challenges facing this region. Using their stories as inspiration, my drawings present a visual archive of the rituals, recipes, and traditions of communities across the Southeast.