Planet Wakehurst, Catherine Nelson, image courtesy of the artist
Victoria – Catherine, you were commissioned by T Projects to create the largest public art installation in the UK - Planet Wakehurst can you tell us about your approach to creating the artwork and the outcome of that approach?
Catherine - Everything began and ended with the gardens at Wakehurst. I wanted to create something that spoke directly to the site. As we march towards an uncertain future, it was imperative that the work focused on biodiversity and the importance of Wakehurst as one of the world's arks. I spent two weeks photographing the gardens at different times of day in August 2022 and then 7 months creating the final artworks in the computer. This involved selecting the best shots, isolating the various plants in each photograph and then collaging them into the final images. The result was 3 complex artworks, all enormous in scale but full of detail.
Catherine Nelson on site at Wakehurst, image courtesy of the artist
Victoria - This was your first large scale commission; how did you find scaling your work up to such a larger-than-life size?
Catherine - I knew the final artwork would be large, but it remained quite an abstract idea until it was revealed.
It was impossible to imagine its immensity until that moment. It may sound surprising but making the artwork for Wakehurst was similar to making the works for a gallery. I create large scale works for gallery exhibitions, each at 150cm x150cm which is, of course, nothing compared to the facades I filled at Wakehurst. Nonetheless it is impossible to see either in their entirety at full scale until they are off the monitor and printed. So, when I work on any artwork in the computer, I always work zoomed in. It is after all the myriad of details that make the final work. By working this way, a high-quality resolution is maintained so when the artworks for Wakehurst were blown up, details remained quite sharp.
Victoria - The artwork is essentially a building wrap, what happens to the wrap/artwork once the build has been restored?
Catherine - It will all be recycled. When it comes down, the wraps will be cut up and turned into sellable objects such as bags.
Victoria - You are an Australian artist exhibiting all over the world, how do you manage an international art career?
Catherine - I would say it is no different to any exhibiting artist. It's just a matter of working hard to keep evolving with your art. International exhibitions are absolute highlights and I feel privileged to have the career I have.
Victoria - The Royal Botanic Gardens commission creates a massive new landmark which will be experienced by many people who may never go to a contemporary art gallery, how do you feel about your work being viewed by such vast new audiences?
Catherine - My work has always been inclusive, and I think it suits both non gallery and gallery spaces alike. Naturally I'm thrilled so many people will see it. Knowing such a large number of the public are engaging with my work gives me a lot of energy.
Victoria - You have previously been a predominantly gallery-based artist, are you excited by working in the public realm?
Catherine - I have really enjoyed working in the public realm. My practice is solitary by nature. I really only deal with the printer, framer and gallery when exhibiting. But with the Wakehurst commission I was working with all sorts of people from across the various departments at Wakehurst, each bringing their unique set of skills to the project. I found the collaboration stimulating.
Victoria - How important do you feel public art is in introducing the public to art?
Catherine - There is no one way to appreciate art or experience it. I love the idea of public art as it brings art to all sorts of people from all walks of life. Art is, after all, for everyone.
Victoria - The Royal Botanic Gardens commission has literally transformed what would have been a pretty ugly building wrap, how do you feel about that transformation?
Wakehurst before the artwork was installed
Catherine - Over the moon. There were definitely pre-reveal nerves, but the final result is beautiful. Everyone I worked with on the commission, from the Wakehurst staff to the workmen erecting the wrap really enjoyed the project. It was an extremely positive experience.
Victoria - Was it a particularly complex project to deliver?
Catherine - There were many technical considerations that were challenging. It is pretty remarkable what upscaling and printing can do these days nonetheless there are still limits with what software and hardware can achieve. Both the printers and I really worked hard to keep the quality high which involved developing a more complex working pipeline.
Planet Wakehurst, by Catherine Nelson, BBC media coverage, courtesy of the BBC
Victoria - The commission receive a huge amount of press coverage was that exciting to see?
Catherine - The press coverage was exciting. When the AP photographer showed up, we knew we would get a lot of coverage and over the following days when it rolled out across the UK in the papers and on the TV, we were all pretty chuffed. It was a good feeling.
Victoria - T Projects are very passionate about bringing new artists into public art commissioning, delivering a unique public art mentoring program. What advice would you have for emerging artists or art students hoping to work in the public realm?
Catherine - Every artist is different, as is every commission but in my experience with Wakehurst I found that really focusing on the site itself carried me. It gave the art creating process more layers and more purpose in a way. Wakehurst is a special place invested in our future. They are major players in understanding and raising awareness of climate change. I am in awe of Wakehurst and all it has achieved. So for me the question I would ask myself was always what could I bring to the site rather than what could it bring me.
To learn more about Catherine Nelson you can visit the artist's website
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