Artist Statement

Denver Whaley

My work examines air pollution in Utah’s Salt Lake Valley, where worsening air quality poses serious health and environmental risks. The region consistently ranks among the worst in the nation for particle and ozone pollution, with children, the elderly, and those with heart and lung conditions most affected.

While transportation is a major contributor, my focus is on industrial emissions—large stationary sites that release significant amounts of pollutants each year. Through research and visits to facilities along the Great Salt Lake, I have observed how industrial activity contributes to winter inversions, fine particulate pollution (PM2.5), and the degradation of the lake itself. These operations not only emit harmful particles that settle deep in the lungs and bloodstream, but also extract and contaminate water from the lake.

Surrounded by mountains, the valley traps pollution during temperature inversions, making the air visibly and physically difficult to breathe. My work responds to this intersection of geography, industry, and accountability, questioning corporate responsibility and the long-term environmental cost of industrial growth in Utah.