In the context of the greatest health crisis of our times, increasing scientific evidence highlights the critical importance of accessing our natural environment – of garden plants, gardens and gardening, as a key factor that can benefit our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Hello Nature is a series of artist-led commissions and workshops that aim to provide Southwark residents with greater opportunities to engage with the natural environment.
The project is being delivered in partnership with The Ballad of Peckham Rye, a not-for-profit contemporary art commissioning organisation, Action For Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL), an organisation established to support asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees in south east London and One Tree Hill Allotment Society, a member run community allotment. Hello Nature will enhance the Action For Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) allotment that supports families from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds who experience food poverty and are coping in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, through building cohesive and supportive relationships between residents, allotment members and the AFRIL community.
Hello Nature: Future Gardens, how to make a seed bank with Marie Roux
14.00 – 16.00, Saturday 13 November, 2021
One Tree Hill Allotments, 111 Honor Oak Park, SE23 3NP
Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8 years.
Marie Roux presents us with a game in which seeds are collected as objects to exchange. Here the seed characteristics (nutritional, medicinal, space and time) are the function of ‘gifts’ that can be passed on to others. Marie will teach us about propagation and what is being done today to protect seeds and encourage plants diversity. This playful activity will encourage us to create new relationships with our surroundings, share knowledge of growing and enhance our understanding of gift economy.
The workshop will take place outside. The ground is uneven and may be muddy. Please bring wellies or appropriate footwear, as well as waterproof clothing. Due to Covid safety guidance, only drinks refreshments will be provided. All children should be accompanied by an adult with parental responsibility.
About the artist! Marie Roux graduated from London College of Communication, MA Fine Art Photography in 2008. Recent exhibitions include: On and on the yellow knitbone shore, Project 78 gallery, St-Leonards-on-sea (2021), Atelier A Residency with Catarina Cubelo, Apricale, Italy (2018), Welcome to the neighbourhood residency, Askeaton, Ireland (2013), Shelf at the Whistable Biennale and Copeland Industrial Park, Peckham, London (2010)
Hello Nature: Pots, plants, paints and patterns with Elyse Blackshaw
11.00 – 13.00, Sunday 14 November, 2021
One Tree Hill Allotments, 111 Honor Oak Park, SE23 3NP
Suitable for all children aged 7 years over, but all ages are welcome to join in!
Elyse Blackshaw will introduce us to an immersive experience of observational drawing from nature. The allotment site was established in the 1940s, today it is an important environmental resource with a range of natural habitats and native plants species, covering over nine acres. Taking inspiration from the allotment itself, Elyse will teach us how to create vibrant patterns and motifs from the plants around us. The workshop encourages imaginative and creative thinking, co-creating, practicing observational techniques and experimenting with mark-making to help children and adults explore their imaginations and develop their creativity in fun and engaging ways together. Following the workshop, Elyse will use the drawings to create a new permeant artwork for the AFRIL plot.
The workshop will take place outside. The ground is uneven and may be muddy. Please bring wellies or appropriate footwear, as well as waterproof clothing. Due to Covid safety guidance, only drinks refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own food for children. All children should be accompanied by an adult with parental responsibility.
About the artist! Elyse is a recent graduate from the Royal College Art. She has been the illustrator for London Fashion Week for nearly ten years and is a qualified teacher in primary, secondary and higher education, working with children and parents from diverse backgrounds.
Hello Nature: Weeds into twine with Blythe Cheung
11.00 – 13.00, Sunday 21 November, 2021
One Tree Hill Allotments, 111 Honor Oak Park, SE23 3NP
Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8 years.
Blythe Cheung will lead us on a practical making workshop that aims to make use of some of the most neglected, even disdained, plants – ‘weeds’. Blythe will take us on a foraging walk of the allotment as we search for fibrous weeds, such as, stinging nettles and brambles, before having the opportunity to learn how to turn the material into twine. Through the workshop, participants will learn about local plant biodiversity by identifying specific species and gain an understanding of basic plant biology.
Please note all participants will need to bring a pair of heavy-duty gardening gloves with them. The workshop will take place outside. The ground is uneven and may be muddy. Please bring wellies or appropriate footwear, as well as waterproof clothing. Due to Covid safety guidance, only drinks refreshments will be provided. All children should be accompanied by an adult with parental responsibility.
About the artist! Blythe Cheung is currently studying Fine Art at the Slade School of Fine Art. Recent exhibitions include: Engendering Men’s Health with Grayson Perry, University College London (2019), Till The Time We Meet Again, MOSSES, Hong Kong (2019) and Night Read; Morning Study, Arteles Creative Center, Finland (2018).
The Ballad of Peckham Rye 