Ephemeral Art
Artworks made in nature with nature,
I am indebted to visual artist Shona Wilson for her inspirational workshop introducing the 'no tools and only materials which are present' concept.
I am indebted to visual artist Shona Wilson for her inspirational workshop introducing the 'no tools and only materials which are present' concept.
'How we interact with nature has become in recent years the subject of scientific research in order to understand nature's therapeutic effects in reducing stress and promoting healing. Whilst the scientists nut out the details, I would argue that we probably already know intuitively that spending time in nature has its benefits. Walking in a forest or the bush, admiring a waterfall or a picturesque landscape provides us with an opportunity to slow down and reflect. A grand old tree can be awe inspiring and when time is spent observing the tree we might notice the interactions between the tree, the birds and insects. Regular visits to the same tree bring about deeper observations of the effects of the weather, rainfall or lack of it, the seasons, when the tree is in flower and how there is constant change.
The practice of ephemeral art draws on this capacity to observe, the desire to understand, to connect, to be in awe of the beauty of nature and to become aware of it's transcience. The process of creating a piece can become deeply immersive, requiring full concentration and presence in order to capture the peak moment, which maybe very brief. Mindfulness meditation is known to bring about calm and reduce stress, descriptions include; bringing one's attention to the present moment, being fully engaged and being observant. Practicing ephemeral art is in a way another version of mindfulness.
The practice of ephemeral art draws on this capacity to observe, the desire to understand, to connect, to be in awe of the beauty of nature and to become aware of it's transcience. The process of creating a piece can become deeply immersive, requiring full concentration and presence in order to capture the peak moment, which maybe very brief. Mindfulness meditation is known to bring about calm and reduce stress, descriptions include; bringing one's attention to the present moment, being fully engaged and being observant. Practicing ephemeral art is in a way another version of mindfulness.
the Beach
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Isolation
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The period of lockdown during the Covid19 pandemic meant we all had to follow social distancing rules and keep ourselves isolated. It has been a time of reflection for many.
These pieces offer a different interpretation of isolation, isolation that highlights elements which may otherwise be overlooked. |
A visit to Geelong Botanic Gardens in autumn turned out to be the perfect moment to see this Japanese Persimon at its peak of colour. The rich red leaves fading to peach clamoured for attention.
Pure pleaure compared to our daily experiences of shops with lines of bright orange tape on the floor defining where you can stand to keep your distance and reminding you of the fear of pandemic. Created with artist Sharon Barrett, we kept to the rules, opposite each other maintaining our 1.5m distance as we worked around the circle. Isolated Puffball
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Insertions
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Pattern
Casuarina Carpet
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Bark Art
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