For over two decades, Sharon Matusiak dedicated herself to figurative painting, using her art to explore her existence and place in the world. However, a profound shift occurred as her growing concern for environmental destruction, global warming, and species extinction deepened. Inspired by the GAIA theory, which views Earth as a self-regulating living system, Matusiak redefined her artistic path. Today, she channels her creative energy into confronting humanity’s impact on the planet. Her work serves as a wake-up call to those in positions of power who have the ability to enact change but choose inaction. Living on 20 acres of woodland for the past 34 years, Matusiak draws inspiration from the natural world she encounters daily. Her mission is clear: to rouse the “sleeping giant” and ignite action through art.
Chaos and Urgency in Fleeing
Sharon Matusiak’s work Fleeing is a raw and emotional commentary on the chaos wrought by environmental destruction, global warming, and human conflict. The painting centers on a mare, wide-eyed with terror, galloping up a hill in search of safety. The sense of motion is palpable; the viewer can almost feel the frantic beat of her hooves and the rush of wind as she flees from an unseen but clearly imminent threat.
The setting is apocalyptic. Fire and smoke dominate the background, a clear nod to the wildfires that have become all too common in the modern era. Matusiak captures the chaos with bold, almost angry strokes of fiery reds and oranges, contrasting with the dark grays of ash-filled skies. The mare’s sleek body is painted with a sense of urgency, her muscles taut and her head turning in multiple directions as if to suggest the overwhelming panic of an animal that cannot find refuge.
What makes Fleeing so compelling is the hidden narrative embedded in the piece. At first glance, the mare appears to be escaping, but as the viewer looks closer, they notice the snares and traps scattered along her path. These obstacles represent humanity’s shortsightedness, a critique of how we attempt to solve one problem while creating another. The traps are subtle, almost blending into the earth tones of the ground, mirroring how environmental destruction and human-made dangers are often overlooked until it’s too late. The mare’s blind panic reflects our own denial of the cascading consequences of inaction.
The Personal and the Political
Matusiak’s art often blends personal experience with larger environmental and political themes, and Fleeing is no exception. Living amidst 20 acres of woodland, Matusiak has witnessed firsthand the delicate balance of nature. Her work channels the anxiety of seeing this balance disrupted by forces far beyond her control. The burning backdrop could just as easily reflect the forest fires that have devastated countless habitats as it could symbolize the metaphorical “fires” of human conflict and neglect.
The mare’s plight is a stand-in for all species—including humans—that face displacement and destruction due to environmental and social turmoil. Matusiak’s decision to focus on a single animal in such a grand and chaotic scene is deliberate, drawing the viewer into an intimate moment of fear and vulnerability. By centering the mare, she invites us to see ourselves in the animal’s place, questioning how long we can continue down a similar path before facing the same traps.
Awaking the “Sleeping Giant”
One of Matusiak’s central goals is to awaken what she refers to as the “sleeping giant,” a metaphor for the collective power of humanity to make meaningful change. Fleeing serves as both a warning and a rallying cry. The painting does not offer solutions, nor does it sugarcoat the harsh realities of our current trajectory. Instead, it forces the viewer to confront the consequences of inaction.
The title itself, Fleeing, suggests a lack of control, a reaction rather than a response. It’s a call to pause and consider whether we, too, are simply fleeing from problems rather than addressing them head-on. The snares in the painting could be interpreted as symbolic of the traps we’ve created for ourselves—rising temperatures, unchecked deforestation, and conflicts over diminishing resources. By illustrating these dangers so viscerally, Matusiak hopes to inspire reflection and, ultimately, action.
A Mission Rooted in Nature
What sets Matusiak apart is the authenticity of her perspective. Unlike many artists who explore environmental themes from a distance, her proximity to nature shapes her work in profound ways. Every detail in Fleeing, from the texture of the mare’s coat to the organic shapes of the traps, feels deeply informed by her daily interactions with the natural world. This connection lends her art a sincerity that resonates with viewers.
At its core, Fleeing is a painting about urgency. It’s a snapshot of a moment, but one that speaks to larger, ongoing issues. Through her work, Matusiak challenges us to look beyond the immediate chaos and see the snares we’ve set for ourselves. Her message is clear: the time for action is now, before the panic and destruction become irreversible.
