Utopia "Up North"

Leslie Dolin's Up North and Line 5 were created in part of the 'Utopia/Dystopia' portfolio, curated by artist Miyo Stevens-Gandara. Miyo invited 26 artists to each pick two cards from a full deck, incorporating a diverse range of interpretations and ideas into a single, unified collection. Dolin displays the harmonious balance of the natural world and its dependence on clean water. Though in her dystopian image, she depicts the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipelines, running from Canada to Mackinaw, one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the world. Utopia "Up North" reflects the delicate balance of the natural world and its dependence on clean water. The imagery in this print symbolizes the ecosystem of Northern Michigan, a place that is very dear to my heart. When contemplating the concept of Utopia, I kept coming back to the shores of Lake Huron and the many summers that I have spent there. The imagery in this print represents Northern Michigan, particularly the Lake Huron side, Hammond Bay, and the surrounding areas. I have spent some time off every summer there since I was born and it has become my place to let go and reconnect both with myself and the natural world. It is my personal Utopia. The air is clean and smells of pine trees and earth. There is a freshness that comes with the surrounding water and its ever-changing shades of blue. It is a place of quiet beauty and I will forever be grateful that I have had this retreat from the chaotic world. It is a delicate ecosystem that must be cherished and protected.