The Exchange
An overlooked aspect of life, flowers play a key role within ecology and society. The Exchange explores flowers through their connections with Birmingham both historic and contemporary, in doing so shedding their non-utilitarian label. A particular focus has been the work of John Ruskin who was a writer, philosopher, art critic and botanist. With this array of field his writings varied on subject to include history, ecology, botany, politics and society. His criticism of industrialisation and capitalism led him to unveil what we now know as environmental disaster. His belief being that human's only saviour was a reconnection to nature. Almost 124 years later after his death, did Ruskin achieve his goal and what can we learn from his perspective?
Reconnection
Reconnection is an A2 stone lithography print. By using a natural material to draw upon brings a physical connection to nature. To then use a reduction process of grinding the stone and etching, allures to the relationship between human and nature of taking without replenishing. Having to manually grind the stones took me back to the experience of walking within nature, a rhythmic pace while grinding the earth beneath my feet, spurred on by the enchantment of the sublime.
Stone Lithography with Metal Frames
A2
Hollow
Plaster Mould
140cm x 100cm
Defining Tomorrow's Environment
What foundations do we set but acts of creation and destruction?
Defining Tomorrow’s Environment is a reflection on the actions we take with the goal of building a better future, a utopian vision while living in dystopia.
Mixed Media Installation
120cm x 180cm x 180cm
For the Many...Not the Few
The 'many' encompasses more than humans encouraging thinking about boundaries which restrict systematic change. This being a critique of Ruskin's heigherachy based opinions extending to those of the modern day.
Vitrine, Ceramic, Sunflowers & Soil
We Reap the Seeds We Sow
Rooted and uprooted.
Plaster, Wax & Soil
Content of the Blissfully Ignorant
Escapism becomes normalised as small pockets of hope, contained and controlled rather than sought after. This piece is a life-like depiction of the artist’s portrait, representing the shedding of naivety with the unveiling of living within a dystopian environment. The face’s deterioration represents the continued destruction present in the name of a better future. While flowers emerge as a symbol of hope and regeneration.
Stone Lithography
VI. Lamp of Memory
Within the context of both Ruskin and the environmental disaster, the sunflower takes on new layers. As you enter the building you may observe them or simply overlook them but as you leave has your perspective changed? Will you notice more?
Beeswax
Disassemble
What I thought the definition of nature was and its actual definition are two different things. Nature meant the world around us, the cycles and invisible system that we live in. From creation to purpose nature was this binding agent giving life to every element. Connection. Every element connected including humankind. Instead, the definition reads that humans and our creation are opposed to nature. Nature being products of the Earth, a collective ‘other’. A man-made definition. Instead of connection we bind ourselves to be separated by categories, ownership and territories.
Stone Lithography