The Point

The project:

Starting in January 2022 I will be delivering monthly foraging 'walk and talks' in 'wild spaces' within the Carnforth area (exact times and venue to be confirmed). There will be a guest artist, chosen for their unique relationship with the landscape and practice specialism, ranging from - our agricultural heritage, herbalism, food foraging, natural ink and dye making, plant fibre weaving, film-making, botany, folklore - and much more. In my studio I will be producing a range of natural dyes using plant-based material foraged during the walks and using these dyes to create a colour-coded textile artwork reflecting meteorological data associated with climate change.  The scientific data will be provided by Dr. Martin Lord. There will also be regular open day events at my studio where visitors can come for tea, biscuits and learn about natural dye making processes and a 'SAP' climate change workshop to be held at Over Kellet Village Hall (date to be confirmed). In 2023 the outcome of the project and accompanying film essay will be showing at Carnforth Civic Hall.

 

'Ecocide is a word that everyone should understand and say. It's basically genocide for entire ecosystems, which directly affects all life on earth. I realised that the thing that justifies this self-destructive cultural phenomenon for most people is simply a lack of connection to the living world. It would be easy to say it's a 'lack of education' but that's only part of the picture. No amount of environmental education can guarantee that a person develops an ethic that calls them forth to protect, preserve and proliferate biodiversity and intact ecosystems. The magic element that does actually create a sense of stewardship in someone's life is much simpler: a direct and ongoing relationship with the living world, nature.' Nick Neddo author of 'The Organic Artist'

I live in a rural area and have access to the Lancashire Way from my back door. I’m beginning to realise what I have access to is not entirely natural. Rights of way footpaths over farmland, hectares of anodyne green fields recently crisscrossed with a network of wire fencing. Small pockets of 'wild space' existing only because of craggy limestone outcrops, spaces between hedges or the odd neglected footpath. As a forager I'm always looking for interesting plant material to gather but it’s complicated and I would only forage specific plants where there’s an abundance. 

It’s clear there's a delicate balance between sharing the knowledge that encourages environmental resilience and protecting what's left of our precious wild spaces... we have to proceed with care and attention. One longer term solution would be to give a part of the garden back to nature - councils are becoming aware of the importance of roadside verges and leaving them uncut for most of the year - in urban areas rebel botanists are celebrating the resilience of wild plants that push up through the cracks in tarmac and concrete. Challenging cultural myths takes time but we can shift perspective and learn to appreciate the greens that brighten up the greys, respect the wasps that are important pollinators and enjoy the chaotic abundance of an uncut lawn... 

Follow the project on instagram and facebook for updates

https://www.instagram.com/sampickettsap/

https://www.facebook.com/sampickettSAP