Elias Marquez
Elias Marquez is a graduating fourth year student at The Ohio State University, earning a BA degree in Art. He brings creative experience in traditional mediums, primarily painting, drawing, and sculpture, while experimenting with digital mediations. Born in El Paso, Texas, and currently based in Columbus, Ohio, Elias has a keen interest in bridging the gap between a studio art practice and the environment. In 2024’s In A Hotter House show, Elias exhibited a hanging glass mobile made with lichen branches, articulating an idealized equilibrium between our built and natural worlds.
Lichen Learning:
To be honest, I had never heard of lichen before joining the Lichen Likers. I’m not sure that I even noticed it, and if I did, I’m sure I thought it was moss.
It’s hard to overstate the number of things that I’ve learned since then, and nowadays I point out lichen everywhere I go! I find myself most fascinated by lichen’s resiliency, and I think there’s a lot to take away from how this symbiote fundamentally operates.
Lichen grow on every continent, survive in every climate, and can even live in space. They’re found on everything from trees to gravestones, and despite constant disruption, they stand strong in the face of human interference. Amidst all of the change, I find great inspiration in lichen’s quiet strength. There’s a lot to learn from their patience, operating on what we grew to call lichen time.
Above all, though, I think lichen has given me a greater appreciation for the world around me. This summer, my fellow Lichen Likers and I had the opportunity to host the Living Arts and Ecology lab booth at COSI. They say that teaching is the best way to learn, and like myself a year ago, the majority of visitors had never paid any mind to lichen. Seeing people excited about such an overlooked part of our ecosystem was incredible, and it felt really nice to give lichen the attention it deserves. This past year with the Lichen Likers has been beyond exciting, and to be part of a community that revolves around symbiosis has been a special experience. Lichen has only reaffirmed my belief that we all make each other better.