Early Promise
The Selfish Gene
£1500 for Triptych
Media
Oils on Canvas - Triptych
Description
Canvas
Each Panel 610 x 610 x 40 mm
Framed
Each Panel 640 x 640 x 45 mm
Total Artwork (approx) 1920 x 640 mm
A three-part work exploring humanity’s evolving relationship with the natural world, framed through three critical stages: harmony, exploitation, and consequence.
Inspired by the short-term survival instincts explored in evolutionary theory, this
triptych reflects on the imbalance between human ambition and environmental
responsibility.
• Early Promise – A time of balance, where nature thrived, relatively unspoiled.
• Hubris Rules – The fiery centre panel depicts reckless dominance, where progress and entitlement overshadow responsibility.
• Future Unseen – A world shaped by human actions, but one where no one remains to witness what’s left behind.
This work invites reflection on the legacy of human intervention and the fragile line between progress and destruction.
Additional Thoughts...
"The Selfish Gene" is a triptych exploring humanity’s relationship with nature across three stages: hope, exploitation, and consequence. Inspired by the stark contrast between humanity’s potential for harmony and its destructive tendencies, this work is a reflection on the hubris that drives environmental degradation.
Through the interplay of colour and texture, the pieces evoke a journey—from the serenity of an unspoiled world to the reckless dominance of human arrogance, culminating in a future shaped by irreversible choices. The titles, Early Promise, Hubris Rules, and Unseen Future, guide the viewer through this narrative, emphasising both the fragility of the natural world and the enduring impact of human actions.
As an artist, I acknowledge my own participation in industries that have impacted the planet. This work is as much a critique of my past as it is a call for collective accountability. It reflects my transition toward living more simply and seeking to reduce my environmental footprint, while grappling with the question of what legacy we leave for a world that may endure without us.
