Urge

Urge comments on nature's uncanny ability to protect and heal itself once man has abandoned terrains. The work explores how nature returns and how human deserted spaces are claimed back by the natural world in time.  The work seeks to bring attention towards preserving our fragile eco-systems and how human's destructive mentality causes the natural world to become out of balance. Often, certain plants and wildlife that re-establish themselves in such environments become invasive or overbearing. Invasive species and non-indigenous species are introduced. The cause and effect on balance, visually, for me, appears as though the natural world becomes wilder. The trails of human influence will forever be present in such places, the reclaim becomes enchanted in appearance. 

This particular edition is hand coloured and inspired by the beautiful relations colours embrace within nature. Cool tones contrast with warmth in the fine details of the thriving grove which we experience in the golden hour. The stark use of black and white was carved out as a lino-cut in the first layer. Thereafter, a gradient ink ombre created the underlayers of the work. Mark making with bold use of colours in soft pastels was then applied as a study of how monochrome shadows and highlights interact with overlayed colours. The scene also set out to achieve the illusion of depth and mystery in the shadows. Creating a feeling as though if one were to follow the path past the sign, you may not return with the same perceptions as you entered with.