Protecting Its Own Tail | Collage, 1963 Monsanto Magazine Advertisement | 11" x 8.25" | 2013

Little Man…what now? | Collage, 1944 Monsanto Magazine Advertisement | 12.75" x 10.25" | 2013

Artist Statement: My work examines the influence of agribusiness and chemical companies on our food supply, and considers the connection between corporate interests and public health. Using appropriation, distortion, and redaction I explore the complex relationship between economy and ecology. I am very interested in the intersection of art and science and the potential for art to bring new perspectives to contemporary scientific issues.

Monsanto Intervention

From the 1940s-1960s Monsanto aggressively marketed their toxic chemicals through magazine advertisements. This propaganda overwhelmingly promoted their chemicals for use in war, agriculture, and home. Using collage, cutting, and drawing I have redacted the original text, altering the intended messaging and reframing the visuals to expose the true threat posed by toxic chemicals. The final reconstructed ads critique our nation’s history of overusing harmful agricultural chemicals and the U.S. Government’s weak regulations on corporate agribusiness.

Kirsten Stolle was raised in Massachusetts, lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 19 years, and currently lives in Western North Carolina. Kirsten is a visual artist working in drawing and collage and has recently explored site-specific installation. Stolle’s work is included in the permanent collections of the San Jose Museum of Art, Crocker Museum of Art, and Minneapolis Institute of Art.  Select exhibitions include William King Museum, Monterey Museum of Art, Torpedo Factory, Truman State University, San Jose Museum of Art, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, Kathryn Markel Fine Arts, Roos Arts, and Jonathan Ferrara Gallery. Her drawings have been published in SLICE, Manifest International Drawing Annual, New American Paintings, The Ignatian, and Spolia. She is the recipient of a Dave Bown Project Award, grants from the San Francisco Arts Commission, Puffin Foundation, Artists’ Fellowship Inc., Change Inc., and the Creative Capacity Fund. She has been awarded residencies at Ucross Foundation, Millay Colony, Blue Mountain Center, Oregon College of Arts & Crafts, Spiro Arts Center, Anderson Center, and Ballinglen Arts Foundation. Stolle received a BA in Visual Arts from Framingham State College, and completed studies at Richmond College (London, England) and Massachusetts College of Art (Boston, MA).