Shona Wilson

“The time and environment provided at Hambidge exceeded my expectations and was truly wonderful experience. Working with natural found materials and no tools, I was gifted such an amazing diversity of materials and niche environments as well the perfect timing of Fall. Coming from a place that does not have a deciduous forest, I found the experience totally unique and a pleasure to work with. The information provided by Hambidge about the local ecosystem and history of the environmental disturbances and rejuvenation was a catalyst for me to delve more deeply into a system I knew little about. My creative response to this combined with the particularity of the time I was in residence resulted in a new series of works that presented another layer of meaning and depth to my ephemeral nature art practice. A series of works that through documentary photographs tell a story of the Past, Present and Possible Future of and for the forest in the Southern Appalachians. I hadn't known what I was going to make prior to coming to Hambidge. I had no agenda apart from responding sensitively to what I 'met'. Hambidge offered a rich palette and sense of creative rigour that enveloped me and will have repercussions in my practice for some time. I see what I began at Hambidge as a transportable concept that could be utilised to raise awareness about Old Growth Forests anywhere. Thank you to everyone who has and will contribute to this space that encourages and grows so much good.”

– Shona Wilson, Australia, Ephemeral Land Art, Garland Fellow