Conservationist and Landscaper
(20 years experience)
Shelly describes, “This photo represents everything I am meant to be doing: working day-by-day to protect, restore and enjoy rivers, mountains, family and fynbos. As Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.’”
“Movement, change, light, growth and decay are the lifeblood of nature, the energies that I try to tap through my work. I need the shock of touch, the resistance of place, materials and weather, the earth as my source.
Nature is in a state of change and that change is the key to understanding. I want my art to be sensitive and alert to changes in material, season and weather. Each work grows, stays, decays.
Process and decay are implicit.
Transience in my work reflects what I find in nature.”
-Andy Goldsworthy
From Shelly: “This international artist moves me, making temporary creations intended to highlight both the contrasts in beauty and the balance that is so intrinsic to natural cycles. But my grandmother and mom are the nature artists from whom I learned my love of gardening, and being in nature. That is my favourite palette, one where I am constantly inspired to be creative and to experiment. I started off my career as a landscaper, so I love using plants and contours to create outdoor spaces that others can enjoy as they grow and evolve over time.”
Pair this with U2’s song, ‘Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World‘, see below.
“The lyrics summarise this for me: ‘It’s one life, and we get to share it. We’re one – but we’re not the same. We get to carry each other.‘
Return on Ecology is a community, carrying each other as partners, friends, students, advisors. I often want to throw my arms around the world: I’m a big hugger – rather than a handshake. So next time we meet, be ready for me throwing my arms around you!”
