Moth by Melissa Yates

In a cultural moment that overly focuses on productivity at the expense of rest and reflection, work presented here invites the viewer to pause and consider how our perception changes when we slow down enough to be fully present with the silent, rhythmic wisdom of the living world. Disconnecting from technology, cultivating stillness and opening our senses to the subtle ways Nature speaks to us is nourishing and can provide an enlivening sense of meaning. 

The tactile act of pencil meeting surface plus sustained attention is a poetic way to respond to the complex beauty of organic life and connect to its ‘essence.’ Simple materials are used carefully and deliberately to emphasise the foundational elements of light, shadow and form, whilst also revealing the less obvious details, textures and spatial relationships that might otherwise go unseen.

At a deeper level, this work is a contemplation of how the living world reflects and supports inner growth. Cycles of loss & renewal, embracing vulnerability, transformation and engaging with the mystery of the unknown are expressed through the use of symbol and metaphor. All rooted in the belief that Nature is a dynamic, evolving, interconnected system, infused with intrinsic value, intelligence and purpose.