Gallery space images

Reflections....after the Gallery display 

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"In the circle of life, every being is no more, or less, than any other. We are all sisters and brothers. Life is shared with the bird, bear, insects, plants, mountains, clouds, stars and sun",  Stan Steiner, (ref 2.) An anthropologist observations - first People philosophy - Circle of life.

                                               

Final display images from - July /August 2023 

 The main body of works are part of an ongoing project that focuses on the detrimental impact of pesticides and herbicides. The knock on effects of industrial pollutants comes at a price, impacting biodiversity ecosystems including land /soil runoffs into rivers and airborne effects on flora and fauna. Concerns which Rachel Carson addressed in, Silent Spring. Presently in the UK alone, there is alarming concern amongst  major conservation organizations, revealing in the last week - wildlife is now in a serious state of decline, endangered due to the effects of industrial pollutants. The percentage of wildflower meadows also drastically reduced majorly due to herbicides. On a positive note some farmers are moving toward more eco-friendly products - along with the ability to 'work with nature' as a crucial component for nature to thrive - the latter aspect  proven to be successful both in the UK and other parts of the world. However, presently, the U.K is considered the least ecologically sustainable country in Europe due to toxin impacts on habitats....pollutants which damage vital biodiversity, humans depend on.

"Humankind we are but one thread ... all things hold together, all things connect". Chief Seattle.

Part of the display included  public participation..... Knapweed plants to take away raising funds toward Conservation Organization, The World Land Trust, the display encouraged people to take an eco focused quote the response was positive.

A Further outcome of the project...The series of images will be on display at Suffolk Wildlife Centre - The Carlton Marsh Reserve, at the end of October. 

This year as a group at the reserve also explored Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring. The display will create an ongoing opportunity for public interaction through various quotes, and recycled artworks.   

I recently explored Psychologist Carl Jung's ideas on nature / earth - however out of my depth, I know there is a need to further develop my understanding of these ideas and perspectives - hence this appropriate re-edited version.  

Recently re-reading  "Earth Has A Soul", editor, Meredith Sabini, Ph.D,  created a succinct compilation of writings by Carl Jung ....many inspirational and thought provoking excerpts, stories, ideas and thoughts that explore the effects of disconnection from the natural world... Interesting insights on Carl Jung's understandings on our human nature and relationship to the rest of nature.... (see ref below 1)

David Korten in his book, " Change The Story Change The Future", shares interesting facets - By focusing on how we can utilize technology, the sciences and indigenous values - to create sustainable eco-systems.

David Suzuki wrote an enlightening book - The Sacred Balance, an in depth exploration of the natural elements;  water, air, earth, fire. ref 3

Works in Gallery Space

Recommended reading, Ecology- Books 

Ref 1 'Earth Has A Soul', C.G.Jung. pg 4 edited by Meredith. A.Sabini , Ph.D. Publisher, North Atlantic Books California. 2002,2005,2008.

Ref 2 Anthropologist, Stan Steiner, Circle of life quote, pg 158, 'Deep Ecology  for the 21st Century'. Editor George Sessions. publisher, Shambala , Boston &London 1995

Ref B 'Change The Story Change The Future'.  David Korten . Publisher, Berret & Koethler, 2015.

Ref 3, David T Suzuki - 'The Sacred Balance'. University David T Suzuki ( University of British Columbia 

Images curating the Gallery art space

 Reflections on  final preparations.... 🐝

Garden Bumble bee
Linocut .

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet.....And the winds long to play with your hair".....Rumi.

The final part - making decisions about displaying the work, the input from friends and family so valuable - very thankful for their support : ) there is deep truth in the saying ....."no man is an island."

Below are some works being displayed  .....along with knapweed plants, recycled art cards and numerous eco quotes! Also sketch book work on display that include inspirational people such as -Rachel Carson - Silent Spring, Franz Kracjberg - Eco activist artist of the Amazon. Arne Naess - Eco-Philosopher...environmental and ethical philosophy. ) Eckhart Tolle - Spiritual teacher. Ervin Laszlo - Philosopher of Science & Systems theory. Wendell Berry - Poet of The Peace of Wild Things.                           

At the end of this blog is a list of inspirational books. I hope in the next blog to show the gallery art space ( having a problem with my computer atm) Thank you for visiting .....

In future blogs I hope also to explore inspirational countries such as Singapore  and Bhutan whom are leading the way in their environmental values and approaches toward ecosystem sustainability.

Chemical Abstract Giclee print yf 

Bee -Altered Perceptions, mixed medium
on canvas. yf , 2023

Altered Perceptions, mixed medium on canvas
yf. 2023

Preparations quotes & recycled art into cards yf

Organik Planet 2030 recycled art into card yf 23

Organik Planet 2030 -recycled art in to abstract card,yf 23

Chemical Abstract Giclee print yf 

Bee- Altered Perceptions- mixed medium
yf 2023  

At the Gallery unpacking

Arranging work

Order of work 

Nails & Hammer

Final adjustments and tweaks

Decision time

Rachel Carson one key idea amongst many....Humankind we are simply one part...our survival depends on the whole web of life.....

Franz Krajberg ..... "Nature gave me back my humanity" 

Informative &Inspirational books ..........

Rachel Carson -  Silent Spring. 

Deep Ecology for the 21st Century. Eco Essays ....Arne Naess  plus many more inspirational eco essays,  editor George Sessions. Shambhala , Boston &London

Eckhart Tolle Spiritual dimensions - Stillness Speaks

Wendell Berry poems -The Peace of Wild Things poetry book

Ervin Laszlo - Reconnecting to Source. 

Franz Krajcberg - Eco artist of the Brazilian Amazon. inspirational qoutes

Focus- Final preps for Eco Art display ...

 Working on final week preparations before the Gallery display is up and running  lots of sorting out to do all the behind the scenes....time ticks away a few images to share . I'm hoping to incorporate sketch book work - that focuses on individuals who have enabled me to explore and come to an understanding of the effects that our interactions have on ecosystems.  In today's blog I have focused on Ervin Laszlo. Who has written 75 books ....he focuses on reconnecting with Source. A philosopher of Science & Systems theory....

Quote- Both the rolling thunder and spotted fawn had told me how spiritual healing begins with respect for the great spririt, life and love, that can be found in all of natures creations- each element has it's own will, own way, own purpose. These ways need to be respected..... by human beings. ( ending pharaphased)  Ervin Laszlo. ref  below

Sketch book work. Ervin Laszlo
Philosopher of Science and Systems Theory

invite to viewing 

Works ready for Gallery . Paper
Works framed & Canvases. 

  

Final working on image canvas mixed medium yf

!

ref book 'Reconnecting to Source' by Ervin Laszlo. Philosopher of Science & Sytems Theory.

Perspectives - Eco Philospher Arne Naess & Sage Lao Tzu

 

Living in harmony ......Lao Tzu possible contemporary of Confucius.(551-479 B.C.E.)

An interesting perspective of Lao Tzu indicates that - by centering 'self' in the Tao, would have the capacity to transform the world...everything finding its natural rythms and place...the unfolding of reasonance, peace, equilibrium. (Paraphrased No 37) ref 1

When in vulnerable nature, living light and traceless.....Arne Naess ref 1) 

Tendency to appreciate all life- forms rather than merely those considered beautiful, remarkable, or narrowly useful....Arne Naess.ref 2 .

 

Continuing with sketchbook works. Drawing on ecologically based ideas. Focusing on two the two main perspectives....Individuals such  as eco- philosopher, Arne Naess whose own understanding concerning the ecological impacts deriving from shallow ecology, that majors on a human-centric perspective- based primarily on the development of sustainability for human consumption alone.Whilst the deep ecology perspective considers the deeper implications for the whole realm within biodiversity systems...which considers eco-centric values...of which we are a part. The interconnectivity and intrinsic value of the whole - Aldo Leopold also discussed as the' whole'  community each being a part.....The importance of diversity within ecosystems....ultimate realisation... all things connect.

In the past most farming practices from the 1940/50s....were mono crop... using industrial herbicides/pesticides..the knock on impacts affecting wildlife -Rachel Carson discussed in The Silent Spring ...it's heartening to know theres an ongoing realisation amongst farming communities now working with natural habitats.... the re-realising of hedgerows and wild flower areas, continuing to shape the landscape in more holistic ways ....presently bringing about incremental shifts toward equilibrium and harmony of the whole.

Two excellent books for consideration - Kate Rawston - Doughnut Economics, & The Sacred Balance by David Suzuki.

Working on image...

                                     

                                       Recent  layering acrylic washes onto canvase  

I 'm also aware of the important attributes of our worlds Indigenous communities, whose ethos and values reveal the wisdom of deep ecological  interconnectivity ...

As  Chief Seattle stated-

Only when the last tree is felled,

The last river is poisoned,

The last fish is caught.....

Only then will we realise that money cannot be eaten.

References 

Lao Tzu paraphrase. No 37 

Arne Naess pg  260. No 17,18 - Deep Ecology  editor George Sessions. publisher Shambala, Boston &London  1995.

Preparations for July 23 Gallery ECO-Event

Celebrate the beauty and mystery of the visible and invisible world-Kandinsky.

Humankind we are but one thread -all things hold together all things connect - Chief Seattle .

There will be no shift in ethics without a shift in perception.Anon 

Continuing to organise Sketchbook works in preparation for the upcoming Halesworth Gallery display. My works focusing on the consequential impact that pollutants have on biodiversity. Below are some of the plans I hope to incorporate into the event. 

The humble knapweed plant to we humans may seem a rather ignoble specimen - But to many pollinators  such wild plants are essential - particularly for bee and butterfly species exsistance. Presently I'm growing knapweed from  last year's harvested seeds - as part of an ongoing  range of  wildflowers now growing in the garden- a 'microcosom' space for biodiversity to thrive rather than be on the brink to survive. The drop in wildflower meadows since the 1970s has rendered many wild species on the endangered Red list. Herbicides being one of the main causes in the depletion of  wild flowers -  pollinators depend on . 

The intention - to have an installation of these humble potted plants as part of the art display ....through which to encourage the viewer to participate- it's an incremental gesture - by taking a plant and replanting - in doing so we each become positive participators in the process toward ongoing rewilding. 

Preparations -Knapweed plants potted& growing !  

Bee landing on first knapweed
Flower this week. : )

 

In the garden flourishing 
 Knapweed budding 2023 

     

 

Harvested -Last year's knapweed seedlings

The potential to support many insect species 

Particularly pollinators.

Yet a cautional reminder......

"Never use life forms as a means. Remain conscious of their intrinsic value and dignity even when using them as resources. " Arne Naess. - Deep Ecology editor George Seasons pg260.

Today working on linocut  images  - Garden humble bee .....

Redution Linocut fun messy business! 

 Needing to keep on reworking images ...

   

Hoping to eventually incorporate lino cut Bee image along side Rumi quote ...

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. " Rumi

Ubiquitous margins.... 

.....lanes,streamsides, wooded fence rows...thresholds of wildness...enact within the bounds of human domesticity itself, a human courtesy toward the wild that is one of the best safeguards of designated tracts of true wilderness. This is the landscape of harmony. Wendell Berry. (Ref 1below)

Ref 1- Incarceration of wildness , essay, Thomas Birch, pg 351, Deep Ecology for the 21st C, edited George Sessions. Shambala Publications. C.1995  George Sessions.

Title - Chemical Reaction?.

 "We only exist because of flowers"

Elsie Lauren.

A few images I am hoping to incorporate in the upcoming Gallery Event . The Photoshop images take into account the impact of pesticides and herbicides on ecosystems - the ensuing impact upon biodiversity. Here I explore the alienation of many species from their natural habitats, placing a solitary butterfly into an synthetic space .

 

Ongoing ideas for Biodiversity project

Preserve & cherish the pale blue dot the only home we've ever known

-Carl Sagan (1) 

Altered Perception. Mixed 
Mediums.  yf .2023

Exploring biodiversity - Earths ecosystems 🌎..... cultivating a deeper understanding towards 

the sacred balance of life on Earth and our human role.

Nature doesn't need people,people need nature; nature would survive the extinction of the human being ....and go on just fine, but human culture, human beings, cannot survive without nature. Harrison Ford.(#)

SKETCH BOOK Work 🐝...

Eckhart Tolle

Aims - continuing to re- work ideas that focus on pesticide toxins, their consequential effects upon biodiversity, wild flora and fauna...

Eckhart Tolle expresses succinctly the root causes of anthropic disconnect from the rest of nature in his writings...that merge well with 1940's conservationist Aldo Leopold, whose eco- philosophical approach describes natures intrinsic value as one to cultivate, to deepen our understanding of - toward seeing our human selves as being an intrinsic part of the whole....Leopold stated "Humanity is a member, not the master, of the land community." He himself was challenged to re -evaluate his own past ideological values... Encountering a shot wolf, Leopold saw the depth of wildness fading from her eyes as the wounded wolf lay dying. An experience that caused what seems, a profound shift in his understanding...writing his seminal book - "A Sand County Almanac,"  he considers the ethics of human impact on habitats as a form of violence, generated by values and beliefs that were driven by a conquest ethic. Para(6) ref

This again reminds me of Norwegian, Arne Naess - eco-philosopher, who consider s natures inherent state....that "Nature has intrinsic value in and of itself." (@). Naess view was one of optimism, even if there is an eventual collapse, a new civilization era will emerge - yet not until deep into the 21st C,  holding very different evolving values. Naess hope would be that it would align more deeply, ecologically...yet many great challenges will occur for the present generations. Ref (5) 

Tolle's perceptions in some way echoing the same incremental sentiments as Leopold and Naess...yet from an spiritual perspective. In Tolle 's own writings his assessment of human nature is perceptive. Aligning from a buddhist approach to the human condition, he explores...the root of suffering as found in wanting and cravings......which in turn has formed the basis of a dehumanized industrial civilization....threatening not only itself  but all life forms on the planet. (Paraphrased) (4) see ref.

In the Ist sketch is a written prose from Tolle's book, based on the sacred mystery of life...of which are sketched depictions from 17th C, the industrial scientific domain of the conceptual mind..it's emergence toward the conquest to subdue nature... resulting in the unsustainable predicaments we face today our perceiving of nature to be for human use alone. 

STILLNESS SPEAKS.

"When you perceive nature only through the mind, through thinking you cannot sense it's aliveness, it's 'beingness'. You see the form only and are unaware of the life within the form - the sacred mystery.

Thought reduces nature to a commodity to be used in pursuit of profit or some other utilitarian purpose. The ancient forests become timber, the bird a research project, the mountain something to be conquered.....(2).Stillness Speaks, Eckhart Tolle.

Sketching  ideas  below - visual mind maps which focus on researching  facts concerning human environmental impacts. - in particular industrial pesticides on ecosystems - leading to detrimental effects on biodiversity....here I am exploring the ethics of  what Leopold describes as the land  community being commodified. One could say the lands eventual diversity reduced to mono culture- which is unsustainable.

below further research information in my ongoing  sketch books

Systems become fragile

Reasons behind loss
of pollinators effects of 
 pesticide info facts

On the RedList Swallowtail
Butterfly declines info.

And forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet. And  the winds long to play with your hair" Kalil Gibran(3)...

Refs (1) (3) (#) www.trvst.world/change-makers/

Ref (2) Stillness Speaks, Eckhart Tolle. (p 81)

Ref (4) The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle ,( p 63)

Ref (5) Deep ecology, Arne Naess essay (p

Ref (6) Aldo Leopold . The Top 50 Sustainability Books , University of Cambridge UK. (p10+11)

(@) Arne Naese Deep Ecology . Essays