nature

Hello Nature | Open Call for Artists
Deadline for proposals: Sunday 26 September at midnight
 

OVERVIEW
In the context of the greatest health crisis of our times, increasing scientific evidence highlights the critical importance of accessing our natural environment – of garden plants, gardens and gardening, as a key factor that can benefit our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Hello Nature is a series of artist-led commissions and workshops that aim to provide Southwark residents with greater opportunities to engage with the natural environment.

The project is being delivered in partnership with The Ballad of Peckham Rye, a not-for-profit contemporary art commissioning organisation, Action For Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL), an organisation established to support asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants and refugees in south east London and One Tree Hill Allotment Society, a member run community allotment. Hello Nature will enhance the Action For Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) allotment that supports families from refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant backgrounds who experience food poverty and are coping in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, through building cohesive and supportive relationships between residents, allotment members and the AFRIL community.

BRIEF
We are inviting artists to engage with ideas of ecology and sustainable food production, growing and cultivating plants, particularly within an urban environment. We are interested to hear ideas you might have for one-off workshop sessions and/or small-scale artistic interventions that could relate to activities aiming to; share practical skills; engage people through discussion; explore opportunities for co-production; make and/or present new work within this specific context.

Workshop sessions will take place on the AFRIL allotment, which is located at One Tree Hill Allotment (111 Honor Oak Park, SE23 3NP). We anticipate workshop sessions to engage groups of 10-15 participants. It should be assumed that English is not a first language for all participants, so a range of beginners, intermediate and advanced second language. Please note, the site is part of an outdoor environment that offers some sheltered provision. The site has running water, but no electricity. Key beneficiaries will be children (primary age) and adults (age 25 and over).

BUDGET
Each artist will receive a fee of £200 (plus travel expenses and materials).

KEY DATES
– Deadline for proposals: Sunday 26 September at midnight
– Outcome of decision and all applicants informed: w/c Monday 27 September

Hello Nature is supported by United St Saviours Charity

Sometimes trees can be a little too respectful of one another’s boundaries, sometimes they just stop growing when they get too close. This phenomenon is called Crown Shyness — when the tops of individual trees avoid touching in the forest canopy, creating separation lines and boundaries in the sky. Researchers found that during calm conditions the branches interlocked, ‘like loosely fitting pieces of a jigsaw puzzle’. When the wind gusts the branches, they can often touch and become intertwined.

#callforartists: we encourage artists to intertwine their voices with sustainability, for this great opportunity of being showcased at the halley (Haggerston, London). A B-Corp accelerating the global culture shift to redefine success in business, in a more inclusive and sustainable economy caring about the environment.

Exhibition dates - 10 Sept / 8 Oct, 2021

All medium accepted: we would like artists to focus on sustainability and the intertwining of different materials and styles. We also accept performer applications for the opening event. All selected artists must be SKT Spaces members - Enthusiasts or Professionals. Our members contributions exists to fund the project's activities. All proceeds go directly back towards supporting the artists, organising events and exhibitions, planting trees, as well as education and outreach programs.

For each membership and each participant in the show, we will plant a tree with @TreeSisters