by Jordan Lienhoop
“Rowan Leaves and Hole” (1987) by Andy Goldsworthy.
“Continuous grass stalk line held to mud-covered rocks with thorns, Swindale Beck Wood, Cumbria” (1984) by Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy is a British sculptor and photographer that uses natural items found in nature to create art. Oftentimes his pieces seem unreal, as in the examples above: surely the leaves have been spray painted and surely that is a line drawing added to an image. But it’s entirely natural, furthering the wonderment and appreciation of nature that his pieces evoke in viewers.
Inspired by his work and the warmer weather, we asked our followers on Instagram to get outside and create a piece using found natural objects.
by an unknown artist in the Shelby Park neighborhood
In Shelby Park there is a giant tree with a branch that arches so far over that it creates an enclosure with its leaves and branches. It was on my way to work one morning that I came upon a circle of broken sticks formed inside this enclosure. The effect was truly magical.
Melissa was interested in “the idea of things in nature imitating each other,” bringing to mind the similarities between butterflies, with their delicate wings, and the veins on leaves. She added Thoreau’s quote to her piece, saying, "God has shown me many things through nature over the years, that so many things are better when they’re wild and free!”
by Tommy Booher (Jordan’s Grandpa)
While visiting my grandpa’s house this past weekend, I noticed his brush pile in the small clearing before the woods - what an unexpected joy to stumble upon! He had unintentionally created a perfect mound of sticks, branches, and twigs, capturing the spirit of Andy Goldsworthy.
To learn more about Andy and his work, watch the documentaries Rivers and Tides (2001) and Leaning Into the Wind (2017) or peruse the University of Glasgow’s ongoing digital catalogue , featuring his pieces from 1976-1986.