From shore to studio as Wicklow forager creates art from nature
Samuel and Kasia guided a group along the Bray coastlie, to gather seaweed and coastal plants to bring back to the studio and create a traditional form of photographic print. The process in the studio of creating some truly unique pieces of art was all captured by photographer, Leigh Anderson.
In describing the journey from shore to studio, Samuel said it is all about 'merging various art forms to tell the stories of the seaweeds, coasts and streets, he gathers, wades and walks'. As a guide, the emphasis is on 'marrying ancestral skill within the modern landscape'.
'Foraging fosters an intimate relationship with our environment,' Sam says. 'We tap into an ancestral activity. We become part of the flow rather than spectators of the outdoors. We begin to truly care for our environment – the beach we comb, the forest we walk, the derelict land we trespass into, the small slices of wilderness that remain. We start to stand up for it. This is where I believe environmental action truly begins.
'We began our day (in the pouring rain – but with open minds) down at the south end of bray beach. We gathered coastal plants, seaweeds and stories along the walk. Then back to the Mermaid for some foraged nibbles and drinks – meadowsweet kombucha, sleabhac crisps and sugar kelp hummus and nettle seed pesto. Then we went into the studio where we prepared our solution to create photographic images using only the foraged plant material.'
Merging their knowledge and experience, Kasia and Samuel bring together their passion for creating and learning with the elements – seaweed, plants, light and shade.
"Foraging for nourishment and creating artwork, is an invaluable way to reconnect and therefore care for the environment we come home to,' Sam says.
The next workshop 'The Communal Tide', will take place in September. Keep an eye on mermaidartscentre.ie for confirmation of dates.
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