WANDER & WONDER EXHIBITION
Private View 22nd November, 6 - 8 pm Arklow Library, Wicklow
Guest speaker Aisling Plunkett - Forest Bathing Guide/ Community Herbalist
Continues 23rd - 30th November 2022
‘Wander & Wonder’, an exhibition by Wicklow-based artist Sarah Eva Manson. This process-led body of work invites viewers to experience the natural world through the lens of nature connectedness and the art of slowing down.
‘Wander & Wonder’ presents a collaboration between the artist, the studio, and the forest environment through natural pigment and responsive painting. With an abundance of beautiful forestry at 18%, Wicklow holds so much history as far back as ancient burial sites, mountains and hills formed by volcanoes, ecosystems and the wood-wide-web. The mycorrhizal network and Mycelium provide the environments where Manson gathers inspiration and collaboration with the earth to create her pieces. Studio time is mirrored by time spent in the forest.
Manson studied with Eco Wellness Consulting, Nádúr, Centre for Integrative Forest Therapy and County Wicklow Partnership to become a Forest Bathing Guide in 2021 further developing her connection to nature.
The processes that Manson employs are informed by the elemental forces present in the forest that we experience with all of our senses; sight, sound, smell, touch and taste—submerging Hahnemuhle Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper directly under the leaf litter on the forest floor for weeks if not months to physically connect with the mycorrhizal network revealing the passage of time in a unique organic meditative way allowing the forest to imprint itself upon the material.
Manson spends hours sitting quietly in the forest observing the beauty and awe around her. Noticing all the colours and textures and how they change throughout the year.
Beyond documenting her process, this body of work opens a dialogue between the artist, the materials and the forest. The expressive artworks, seen as a whole, are gentle and balanced. Dappled textures are contrasted against precious details. Viewed up close, the alchemic reactions of the natural pigment echo that of the forest’s ecosystem, ultimately creating a keen sense of the environments to which the works respond.
‘Wander & Wonder’ dances between forest bathing and intuitive mark-making, showcasing a deep meditative enquiry into forest ecosystems and the elemental forces at play in these landscapes.
For more information about Forest Bathing and to meet our fellow guides please visit https://www.forestbathingguides.ie/ Forest Bathing Guides is a collaboration between an incredibly talented group of specialist Forest Bathing Guides in County Wicklow and Dublin in Ireland.
“Congratulations again on your exhibition your work is incredible. I loved it, the mycelium work is bloody brilliant. It’s my favourite piece for sure. The whole journey of creating, connecting and even cutting the cords blew me away.”
“‘Wander & Wonder’ dances between forest bathing and intuitive mark-making, showcasing a deep meditative enquiry into forest ecosystems and the elemental forces at play in these landscapes.”
Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this venture. The team in Arklow Libary Love Arklow my family for their love and support Andrew Manson Artist Attracta Manson Artist Orgil Ozzy/ MonEir
The Forest Bathing community @ https://www.forestbathingguides.ie/ Nádúr Centre for Integrative Forest Therapy Forest Bathing Ireland County Wicklow Partnership Festivals & Events Forum
And to fellow Forest Bathing Guide Aisling Plunkett who officially opened my exhibition, and of course Arts Council Ireland for their support, without them this would remain a dream.
WANDER & WONDER EXHIBITION continues in the Arklow Library till November 30th
Opening Speech by Aisling Plunkett founder of Arc Healing
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m honoured and delighted to be here in Arklow Library to open this new exhibition of work by Sarah Eva Manson. I first met Sarah when we began our training with Nadur Centre for Forest Bathing Therapy in collaboration with Wicklow partnership two years ago. We both qualified as forest bathing guides and now with several others, we offer many guided walks around some of the most stunning forests in our home county.
Part of our training included daily time spent sitting with nature, observing the ever-changing environment its colours, textures sounds and smells. This continues to be such a beautiful practice that helps create deep connections with nature. When we sit with and tune into the natural cycles in life it can bring many joys and so much healing on both a physical and mental level.
Wander and Wonder has been a process-led body of work through the art of slowing down. And it is no surprise Sarah has chosen this time of the year to reveal her latest additions to her extensive catalogue of artwork. November transitions us from Autumn to Winter a time for deep reflection of the year past. A time for us to find solace, peace and rest within its long dark evenings. When we take the time to observe what happens in the natural world around us, we not only deepen our relationships with nature we become part of it. The remembering that there is no separation can be quite profound.
What Sarah has created over these past two years is in my opinion her most beautiful collection yet. Some of her previous collections have displayed a particular magical essence with her Galaxy and Fairy Door water colour pieces amongst my favourites. This evening Sarah presents to us a collaboration between herself the studio and the forest environment using natural pigment and responsive painting. The relationship and connection she has developed with the forest is truly inspiring. For the next few moments Id like to invite you all to step into the Forest of your imagination and join me in a practice I share often at the beginning of my forest bathing sessions.