bringing to life themes of resilience, refuge and renewal through art
Through connecting with the natural world, we experience our essential interdependence and resourcefulness. In this innovative workshop series, artist Isaac Bower guided participants in exploring themes of refuge, resilience and renewal through connecting with nature, collaborating with others, and engaging in creative process.
The resulting art exhibit displays the unique and creative ways that each participant responded to the workshop’s themes. The branching structures that connect the artworks were collaboratively made by the group using recycled cardboard.
Beginning on November 15, this meaningful, site-specific exhibit will be on display at the Frick Environmental Center, but you can also explore the virutal exhibit below.
This project is a collaborative initiative presented by Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, Lively Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
Connected by Nature - About the Installation
Virtual Gallery
Talking Stick
“Trees, leaves, fruits, flowers, represent the cycle of life.
It was quite challenging working with this free-standing object. Somehow, I put the pieces together and, as I did, the stick began to talk."
LINGUISTIC SYZYGY OF NATURE AND SELF
“My love of words must be shared with all and, by doing so, perhaps others will utilize the power of the spoken word.”
ROOTS
“Roots anchor trees to the ground. They absorb water and nutrients so trees can grow tall and strong. Roots nurture trees when they are diseased making them resilient. They provide refuge to plants, animals and fungi and spur renewal by sending up new shoots.”
NATURE IS MY HAPPY PLACE
“Resilience, refuge and renewal are vital to happiness.
How appropriate that I look down on the ground to find a smile smiling back at me.”
LIVES OF LOGS
“Trees are the very definition of resilience (weathering storms), refuge (sheltering wildlife), and renewal (even in death life thrives through insects, fungi, and many organisms).”
New Growth
“This drawing was inspired by a tree I noticed during a walk on Cloudland Road in South Pomfret, Vermont. The majority of the tree appeared to be 'dead', but there was a lush and leafy branch emerging at the top. This really stuck me at a corporeal level, thinking about my own body and my preconceptions about aging and vitality. It was a powerful reminder that renewal, growth, and change can occur in surprising ways.”
Forest Treasures
“I think this piece speaks for itself!
I enjoy rubber stamping, and the bulk of my collection of stamps are of Nature, especially mushroom and floral.”
Looking Closely
“Even a dead tree has a story to tell. The tree connects with the people, plants and insects,
offering refuge, comfort, and renewal.
The mistakes were the best part!”
Connected: Roots and Hands
“Being connected forms the foundation for staying resilient. We find renewal and refuge
when our hands touch.”
Nature Indoors
“Thinking of shelter as refuge, I thought of ways that Nature can become the palette of colors for a room. The images on this collage are hand-made furnishings drawn from Etsy and photographs drawn from the teaching artist’s website.”
Cracked Concrete
“Seeds take refuge in a crack. Plants are resilient by making lots of seeds and sending them off on the wind. Renewal bursts forth from the dark places.
It started with a doily edged with lace…”
Veins of Life
“The Veins of Life is not my original art. I simply felt inspired to share it here.”
Martha and Mary’s Hands
Stick and Stone
Underground Crankie
"Roots are dark, quiet, unseen, yet vital to the stability and growth of that which is seen.
This is a moving panorama of life underground - rich, full of inspiration, anchoring us to nature.”
Pathways
“When I think about resilience, it seems to be linked with patience, process, and persistence. This drawing was inspired by tree roots I observed during a hike in Falls Run Park in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. The steep banks along the creek there have eroded away, exposing impressively long horizontal tree root systems. Seeing the relentless progress of these roots through the rocky terrain reminded me that with persistence and time, obstacles can be reframed as pathways to progress.”
Wild Edibles
“Wild edible plants heal us more than plants from industrialized supermarkets. Learning about wild edible plants was lifestyle changing for me.”
Spirit of the Forest
“The forest and all the living things in it are resilient, offer refuge, and renew continually. We need to do the same.
I work with fabric and chose those that offered me the colors of the forest, from patchwork blues and greens, to the reds, yellows and oranges of the earth and sky.”
