Axolotl by Sanya Hyland
Medium: Relief Print A linoleum-cut print, printed in two colors (Rhodamine pink and black) on white DePonte printmaking paper, which is made in Mexico.// Un grabado de linoleo impreso en dos colores (Rosa rodamina y negro) en papel blanco DePonte (hecho en México) November 2023
Size: 9” x 12”
Artist statement: “”The axolotl is a magical amphibian endemic to the canals and lakes in the south east of the sprawling megalopolis of Mexico City. The Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl comes from the Nahuatl language), lives its entire life in the water, never transforming itself to a land-dweller like its cousins the salamander. It is a revered animal in Mexican culture: found among the ancient gods as well as on the latest 50 peso bill. It is also popular among scientists who study the axolotl’s regenerative abilities.
Unfortunately, the axolotl’s numbers have been on a steady decline. Suffering from the urbanization, pollution, and introduction of invasive fish species in its ancient endemic waterways, it is unlikely that there are any wild axolotls left in its natural habitat. It is, however, bred in captivity and is a popular pet.
One nugget from Wikipedia: “”Axolotls locate food by smell, and will “”snap”” at any potential meal, sucking the food into their stomachs with vacuum force.””
This is the second of a series of threatened and endangered animals from Mexico.”
Artist website: https://justseeds.org/artist/sanyahyland/
Image description: A pink lizzard with long gills that look like wings appears to be flying over top of tall, wavy black fern-like plants.