With Florida rapidly expanding in population, leading the U.S. as the fastest growing state, I have witnessed the firsthand destruction of wildlife through deforestation. Living near the everglades, many of the lush forests along the road have become barren, paved for uniform neighborhoods for its ever-growing population.

This piece reflects my experience with deforestation, depicting the grim present of human destruction. As a symbol of intelligence, adaptability, and carefreeness, the monkey has been a longstanding species of which people relate to. The monkey, specifically the golden snub nosed monkey, is the centerpiece of my work as their stoic yet pleading eyes represent their resilience and mind that is understanding of how their home is quickly slipping away. The baby cradled in her arms has a future with little of the natural habitat they would need.

Behind the subject is a background plowing with smoke, occupying the blue sky with gray and a forest reduced into a corner of the piece. This spread of environmental degradation is seen in the artwork by physically taking up the canvas. The fields of wheat emit a golden shine, concealing itself in a fictitious narrative behind the destructiveness of wealth and greed despite the warnings of nature.

The monkey, so genetically similar to us, illustrates that one day, we may find ourselves in the positions of what animals we have displaced.