Force of Nature

About

FORCE OF NATURE

An exhibition of works by international contemporary artists inspired by nature.

Curated by James Putnam

From the beginning of human history, and in every culture, nature has played a vital role in creative expression. Force of Nature, curated by James Putnam, Research Fellow at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, will include work by 28 established and emerging international contemporary artists, surveying the influence of nature and its processes on their work.

Nature is constantly in a state of change, and the artists’ awareness and sensitivity to this change is crucial to the creation of their work which will be site-specific, monumental or ephemeral.

Movement, light, birth, growth, ageing, decay and rebirth are among the energies or ‘forces’ that artists strive to capture. Using a diverse range of media including organic materials, they are continually searching and synthesizing new ways to redefine our relationship with nature. The work from these artists will be evocative, provocative or sublime, with some conveying an urgent environmental message.

This exhibition aims to redress the common misconception that nature is an autonomous entity that exists independent from the human race. Humans are very much part of nature and the artist’s observation and understanding of this theme hopes to understand not only nature, but of the human condition within nature.

Force of Nature aims to communicate an awareness of nature’s increasing fragility and some of the works are concerned with urgent issues of ecological and social sustainability.

Force of Nature will be presented at The Art Pavilion in Mile End, providing a real synergy with its surroundings, the innovative architecture, evocative landscaped panorama as well as being adjacent to the Mile End Ecology Park.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive education program of talks and    workshops.

‘Force of Nature’ has been generously supported by London College of Fashion, UAL, who in 2021, will be relocating to a single site at the new Cultural and Education District on Stratford Waterfront, part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Maddalena Ambrosio, Alice Anderson, Ruben Brulat,  Mat Chivers, Felix de Bousies, Adeline de Monseignat, Susan Derges, Nancy Fouts, Andy Goldsworthy, James P Graham, Richard WM Hudson, Kang Hee Joon, Mark Karasick, Iyvone Khoo, Ayça Koseogullari, Antti Laitinen, Janet Laurence, Richard Long, Alastair Mackie, Kate MccGwire, David Nash, Lucy & Jorge Orta, Giuseppe Penone, Peter Randall-Page, Cameron Robins, Tim Shaw, Yuken Teruya, Koen Vanmechelen, Douglas White.

Force of Nature is curated by James Putnam, Senior Research Fellow at UAL’s London College of Fashion.