1. Tik Tok Palm Clock 100 x 120cm acrylic on canvas , Niamh Cunningham 倪芙瑞莲 2023

简单中文

The Forest Breath Series of paintings began two years ago (2021) at this same residency ‘The Rhythm of Life’ in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. I decided to continue this focus on tropical trees and skylines.

When I think about the air that I breathe I think about the surface of a leaf and gas exchange. The leaf enhales carbon and together with light and water after photosynthesis exhales oxygen. David George Haskell even points out that pine needles have lip shaped cells as he describes this process in his book ‘The Songs of Trees’.

So if plants are temporary crystalised carbon, then what is air?

……….Air is 400 millions years of Forest Breath.

 

 

 

2 Electric Fronds 100 x 120cm acrylic on canvas , Niamh Cunningham 倪芙瑞莲 2023

 

 

3. The Meeting Place 100 x 120cm acrylic on canvas , Niamh Cunningham 倪芙瑞莲 2023

 

 

Stone Forest Sky 100 x 120cm acrylic on canvas , Niamh Cunningham 倪芙瑞莲 2023

 

The previous Blog gives some details of the participating artists and the special experience of this residency.

The Rhythm of Life Artist Residency Yunnan Sept 2023 。

Once again a huge thank you to Prof Gao Xiang, Director Zhou Rui, the impressive people at XTBG Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Gardens (XTBG ) especially Director Liu Guangyu of the environmental education centre, fellow artists and students for your wonderful company, to Mrs Yu of the Octagon Lodge, and to filmmaker Ma Jinzhong

Day one in the studio at the Octagon Lodge

Second last day in the studio

Exhibition opening day at XTBG

This exhibition will travel to the state Museum of Xishuangbanna in Jinghong on Dec 3 rd