Artists Who Found Inspiration From Without

Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist who, unlike many of his contemporaries, turned to nature, to seek ideas and inspiration. He creates most of his works in open air- forests, mountains, hills, plains, lakes, and rivers- using as materials the natural elements that the site provides him with: leaves, flowers, ice, snow, stones, bark, clay, wood. To explore, observe and better understand the natural world and its deepest secrets, Goldsworthy does a lot of traveling around the world. He has been to places such as Canada, Australia, the North Pole, United States, and many others. His goal is not to mark the landscape permanently, but rather to work with it and create, though ephemeral, memorable scenes. Because the majority of his creations are meant to last only for a short period of time, Goldsworthy records them through photographs, before they vanish.



Goldsworthy’s collaboration with nature is perfect. He creates balance among the natural elements, assuring, in the meantime harmony between the viewer and the nature. No matter how simple some of his artworks might seems at a first glance, if you take a closer look, you can see that they are complex, emanating energy and incorporating a lot of movement. A challenge that he faces, is the fact that seasons change, and weather is not a sure thing. Over time, due to the climatic conditions, such as heat, cold, or winds, most of his works dssapear, but he has the power and will to start it all over again: "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)

The idea of balance is mostly visible in Balanced Rock, one of the most well-known works of Goldsworthy. The image below amazes every viewer and it doesn't need any further explanation. 

Image 1

Other famous works include of Andy Goldsworhty include: "Sits cut into frozen snow stormy strong wind","The wall", "The wall that went for a walk", "Slate arch made over two days, fourth attempt", "Oak leaves in holls".

For more information on the biography and work of Andy Goldworhty :  http://www.rwc.uc.edu/artcomm/web/w2005_2006/maria_Goldsworthy/works.html


Work Cited:
http://www.morning-earth.org/artistnaturalists/an_goldsworthy.html
Picture 1 - http://www.rwc.uc.edu/artcomm/web/w2005_2006/maria_Goldsworthy/works.html