Izzy Osborn is a conceptual artist whose practice operates at the intersection of cultural archaeology and environmental consciousness. She crafts powerful commentaries that engage with contemporary political, ecological and cultural spheres. This work centers on the Anthropocene – the proposed geological era defined by humanity’s impact on Earth’s ecosystems since the Industrial Revolution.
Osborn’s work recognises the Anthropocene not merely as an environmental concern but as a phenomenon which touches every aspect of modern existence. Osborn’s distinctive approach is expressed through innovative reclamation of manufactured waste. Discarded materials are transformed through sophisticated CAD/CAM laser cutting techniques, issuing them with renewed significance.
For Hidden Door’s 2025 Festival Osborn presents The Gaia Altarpiece, a monumental triptych inspired by the iconic Ghent Altarpiece that serves as a contemporary meditation on humanity’s relationship with the natural world. The piece unfolds as a visual narrative depicting scenes of consumption and environmental exploitation, with the old and present worlds juxtaposed against the central panel’s vision of ecological harmony.
Each panel is crafted from oriented strand board – a material commonly seen boarding up vacant shop windows. The laser-engraved compositions are selectively embellished with gold leaf, echoing religious iconography while elevating environmental concerns to matters of spiritual significance. For this exhibition, Osborn installs the panels flush into the building’s walls, transforming architectural wounds into portals of environmental contemplation.
Find out more at izzyosborn.vsble.me or instagram.com/_twenty_x_x
