Yellow-Bellied Marmot I

This collage celebrates the Yellow-Bellied Marmot, a charming creature found across western North America from the Rockies to the Black Rock Desert. These deeply social animals greet each other, groom each other, and raise their young collectively. They spend about 80% of their lives in burrows, hibernating from September through May. The marmot taught me that rest is not optional. It is key to survival.

The piece grew out of a commission for the Burning Man Pavilion during the 2023 ANIMALIA theme, where I researched desert species facing extinction or habitat loss. The Yellow-Bellied Marmot holds special cultural significance for the Northern Paiute Kidütökadö band, whose name translates to "marmot eaters." They are part of the Fort Bidwell Indian Community with deep ties to the Black Rock Desert.

This piece is a reminder that vibrant life thrives in even the harshest landscapes, and that through art we can make visible what is too often overlooked.