WONDER (Verwondering), mixed media, 2022
Inspired by 'works of art from nature': a collection of fossils that is displayed in Museum Het Oude Raadhuis (Urk, NL), I've started working on this "artistic research project".
The fossil fish are, of course, directly related to the water that surrounded the island of Urk until 1939. Nowadays, that water has made way for, amongst other things, our Urkerbos (Forest of Urk). Despite being reclaimed, this landscape still has a strong connection to the water - the forest is almost like a swamp in some places, which provides the ideal soil for mushrooms. Since October 2021 I have been keeping track of all the mushrooms growing in our forest, and you might be surprised - so far I have already found 26 different species! I have molded 20 of my discoveries into visual form, with the aim of sharing the amazement about all those different shapes, sizes, colors and structures.
Update March 2022: Every single live mushroom has disappeared from the forest, but I really do hope to meet them again next fall and winter! Until then, I'm glad I've got my little clay shrooms to share with you.
- On display in Museum Het Oude Raadhuis from February 22nd till April 1st 2022 -
