The Interplay Between Art And Nature – Floriemae Elvidge, Artist And Forest School Leader

by Floriemae Elvidge

© Floriemae Elvidge

Nature has always been a big part of my life, from long rolling summers in a field on the Welsh coast, to forming a bond with a weeping willow in my local park, nature and its complicated beauty will always be a significant part of my artistic journey.

From being unsure about whether I wanted to attend university, to now applying for a masters in art therapy, nature has provided a space for my head to be cleared and for my thoughts to flow. However, it’s when nature is paired with art that I truly see the benefits of both, especially in my work at Forest Pathways.

© Floriemae Elvidge

I began working at Forest Pathways just over six months ago now, and the work I’ve been involved with there has only solidified this idea of the interplay between art and nature. I helped bring an artistic approach to the activities we provide for the children, and seeing this connection between the artistic and the natural begin to grow and take shape was truly inspiring and helped to form the body of my dissertation.

© Floriemae Elvidge

Talking to Trees; A Field Guide on the Entanglement of Art and Nature is a short, guide-book style of writing that talks about the relationship between the environment and the artistic world, more specifically focusing on trees and how they essentially breathe life into creativity. This body of writing will be paired with an exhibition taking place at Carclew Forest – an area that has inspired me and my practice so much.

The exhibition isn’t open to the public, as the work involved is being made for the trees. A series of hand-crafted stick weavings will be presented in the forest, the colours natural and suited to the changing seasons. Each of the branches involved has taken countless hours, the sticks involved coming from the floor of the forest and being returned, having been touched by art and presented as a symbol of the importance of the two joined together.

© Floriemae Elvidge

Further Information

Carclew Outdoors

Forest Pathways