In September I had the pleasure of exhibiting with jewellery maker Ane Meinert Folke. We were invited to exhibit in the old mill, Baunhøj Mølle in Grenaa, which has a beautiful space for showing art.

We began by outlining our shared foundations: What is our primary inspiration? What drives our work? And what did we want to explore with this exhibition?
“Earth Connections” is a collaborative project, where we have created works inspired by tangible elements from nature such as branches, plants, and buds. From this foundation our work has grown and developed within each of our respective fields and materials. We are both fascinated by the beauty in detail, texture, and structure, approaching what we find with an open, experimental mindset.

We made individual pieces but we also created work in common
On a bright day in February, I invited Ane for a walk along the coastline of Djursland, a magical place where a layer of natural clay beneath the ground causes the landscape to shift and slide, moving the roots of the tall trees, making them stand at angles rather than vertically. We sat on a fallen tree trunk, enjoyed a coffee, and talked about our upcoming collaboration.
We gathered clay, stones, and reeds, lugging them back home in heavy bags, and began experimenting with these materials, along with a wide range of others. We decided to create a joint piece based on a collection of pupae as our central form and source of inspiration.

METAMORPHOSIS – a collaborative work
Starting with the pupa, we explored forms, colors, surfaces, textures, materiality, and substance. We have ventured far beyond the original pupa shape. We find the pupa interesting both as a form and as an idea: the closed vessel that contains a transformation – a metamorphosis.
We have played and experimented extensively – with equal parts joy and seriousness. We have challenged each other and engaged in dialogue with words, but most of all with the physical expressions represented by the individual pupae.

Our reflections on the art and craft we create:
Through our exhibition, we aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of our connection and equality with nature. By highlighting imprints, shapes, and colors drawn from nature, we hope to heal the relationship and inspire love and respect for the planet we inhabit. We see ourselves as part of the artistic movement working to restore and revitalize humanity’s relationship with nature. While scientific facts and reports from the UN’s Climate Panel are undoubtedly necessary, our role as artists is to speak to the body and emotions – a sensory understanding rather than an intellectual one.

Exhibtion view: