Matt Gorton
Wood Frog (left), Spotted Salamander (right)
Artist Statement
In order for society to protect the natural environment we must empathize with and care about it. I believe that the best way to accomplish this is through personal and shared experiences in nature. How can we protect something if we don’t have an intimate relationship with it? For me, the natural world is a place of escape, a place where everything makes sense. I am neurodivergent, so I often have a hard time navigating the social maze of society. There tends to be no hidden meaning in the natural world. Like the amphibians in this piece, I’m just trying to get from point A to point B, just to survive and be productive in our shared world.
About the Artist
“If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you, and you will know each other. If you do not…you will only know your own kind.” – Black Elk (1863-1950)
I have almost a decade of experience working in the natural resources and ecology world. I have worked with everything from birds to aquatic invasive species. However, my passion lies with herpetology. There’s just something super fascinating and wise about our ancient cousins, and unfortunately we haven’t been very kind to our reptile and amphibian neighbors. My aim is to change that by studying and understanding them.
My research interests primarily lie in the dynamics of ecosystems, especially in regard to wetland and aquatic habitats; using statistical modeling to determine important variables within the landscape that are necessary for the persistence of wildlife species; studying the impact of roads on reptiles and amphibians; human-wildlife conflict; and exploring how animals move throughout the landscape.
Outside of research, I like to think of myself as an artist, poet, and nature enthusiast. I really enjoy drawing, writing, reading, composing music, hiking, and making pretty much anything out of wood. I always try to gain inspiration from the natural world, regardless of my creative endeavor. The natural world has so much to show and teach us if we just listen.