A Gathering of Ecological Thinkers at the exhibition Nest

Cultivating Ecoliteracy Through Art

On June 19th, we gathered for a salon event at the exhibition NEST at Dongyue Art museum, uniting a diverse group of ecological thinkers and creatives. Attendees ranged from researchers fresh from restoration projects on the Tibetan plateau to artists exploring the intersection of data centers and nature, educators crafting eco-literacy curricula, and eco-entrepreneurs forming collaborative hubs focused on shared purpose and many other people.

The afternoon began with a guided tour of the exhibition, emphasizing the vital role of collaborative skills in education ( and in life ) as a tool for fostering resilience. I believe that art-making serves as an accessible medium for this development. Two collaborative artworks were highlighted from the International School of Beijing (ISB) from Nov 2024, the time of my artist residency at the school : The Wall of Whispers and Nestled Within, alongside my own socio-eco art practice, Memory Palace of Tree Stories.

During the tour, Yvette Stride, an artist/ educator from ISB, elaborated on The Wall of Whispers—a testament to how collaborative concepts evolved through dialogue and artistic exploration. This documentation is noteworthy and soon to be published in EARCOS East Asian Region Council of Schools. This is particularly significant as references to collaborative work in pedagogic literature are scarce.

Joseph Stewart, Head of Art at ISB, shared insights on the photographic essay he directed Nestled Within, showcasing the collective identities of students, teachers, and families, beautifully intertwined within the nest’s symbolism.

The third collaborative work is a five and a half year endeavor… the Memory Palace of Tree Stories, where I presented a selection of one-minute video stories from individuals in China and Ireland, inviting them to share their unique connections to trees. Also included was a longer video, Ladybird of DongXiao Kou: A Dance with Trees, captured the essence of human movement in dialogue with nature, evoking a sense of awe and connection to the living world. These narratives are creative pathways which serve as reminders of how we can experience nature in new, profound ways.

Many of the Tree themed artworks in the main hall of Dongyue Art Museum span from 16 years ago to the present day and many also reference tree stories from the Memory Palace of Tree Stories from China and Ireland.

Gathering around the NEST

After exploring various paintings and mixed media, I addressed the group as we sat around the nest . I shared insights on ecoliteracy and referencing influential eco-philosophers and the Earth Charter—a framework guiding education, business and individual actions toward better balanced living.

As our esteemed group of writers, educators, curators, scientists, artists, development strategists, and media representatives introduced themselves, a palpable energy filled the room. This was followed by an hour of networking, where attendees exchanged ideas and aspirations for their work in protecting the natural world.

As I reflect on this remarkable gathering, it is clear that the intersection of art and ecoliteracy holds immense potential for fostering resilience in our communities. The collaborative projects showcased at NEST exemplify how art can transcend disciplines, inviting people from various backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue about ecological issues.

In facing the complex challenges ahead, we must prioritize building cross-disciplinary communities that harness the power of creativity and collaboration and community. By integrating art into our educational frameworks and community initiatives, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the environment and even with each other.

It is this artists opinion that by weaving art into the fabric of ecoliteracy, we can learn to work in uncomfortable spaces, create resilient communities that not only understand the ecological challenges we face but are also equipped to address them with creativity, empathy, and innovation. This collective resilience will empower us all in the journey towards ensuring the safety of the greater community of life.

Acknowledgements：

A huge thank you to all who contributed to this event, to all dear friends who attended , to those who spoke with comments and questions, to artist/educators Yvette Stride and Joseph Stewart of ISB, to my assistant Dom Messerschmidt for all his help and support, to ShaSha Liu for her exceptional poetic translation , to long time freind Mr Yuan Qiulai curator of the beautiful venue Dongyue Art Museum ,and to the wonderful museum assistant Yishuo Chen for facilitating the event.

**********

Upcoming blog on recent Earth Charter event in the Hague.

Some of the images from artworks showing at NEST were featured on the Earth Charter corporate Power Point , and also Tree Story videos from the Memory Palace of Tree Stories were screened on days 1 and 3 of the conference.

*****

Selected artworks will be shipped for collections in Europe, however the artist hopes to keep collections inside China creating a unique opportunity for discerning investors.

If you are interested in acquiring a curated list of available artworks along with their price details, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Additionally, I would be delighted to arrange a private viewing, allowing you to experience the art firsthand.