
ART NATURE ENVIRONMENT BEAUTY
Redefining responses how we engage with environmental changes
Environmental Storytelling
Vivienne is an artist who works with our evolving natural environment that is influenced by the planetary changes. Through Japanese ink paintings — sumi-e, printmaking, sculpture and filmmaking she portrays our delicate ecosystems. The observation of nature serves as an overarching theme, capturing the subtle changes that occur within the 72 Japanese micro seasons.
These observations lead to a series of ongoing projects. Her work invites reflection on our cultural tradition, how we perceive information, and our engagement with the natural world of which we are part of.
Through extensive research on climate change and pollution, Vivienne's art reflects on the loss of biodiversity, portraying future foods and endangered plants thriving in changing climates. Her work emphasises the criticality of food security, whilst also addressing clean air, fresh water, and soil health.
Vivienne communicates her knowledge through her art and through the sustainable art curricula she is developing and teaching in her education programmes, aiming to inspire collective efforts within communities by promoting learning about nature-based solutions and actionable steps we can take — helping people feel more hopeful, empowered, and encouraged to make a change. Her projects align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG’s.
Her diverse work also explores the life cycle of plants, especially their journey to seed production. There is a special focus on how to manage and preserve the knowledge she gathers along the way, as we are all students learning to adapt to climate shifts.
She receives direct advice from scientists, ethicists, and philosophers. Her projects invite collective thought, conversation, and critical reflection on the important role art plays in our evolving relationship with nature.
Vivienne’s sustainable approach is reflected in her careful selection of natural materials. For her long-term projects, she sources traditional materials — ink, paper and brushes — directly from Japanese shokunin — craftspeople. Her art weaves connections to people, place, and the fragile beauty of what remains.
'Nature holds the key to our cognitive, intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic fulfilment' E. O. Wilson
Explore ongoing projects
Vivienne likes to work on long-term projects, regularly adding her new learnings from her research, investigations and collaboration with her advisors.
An invitation to connect with the natural world:
Other studio activities
International exhibitions, art education—including the development of a sustainable primary and secondary school art syllabus, classes, talks, and workshops—as well as collaborations with advisors, commissions, books, artist residencies, and a focus on using natural art materials.
News
Behind The Scenes!
I am collaborating with Ribbons Music, Sara Coleman and Rebecca Nash Keys on their upcoming release. One of my Symbiocene paintings will feature on the CD cover.
At the November album launch, at World Heart Beat in London, all six original Symbiocene sumi-e / Japanese ink paintings will be on display and for sale, alongside limited edition prints, postcard sets and maybe some merchandise.
What makes me hopeful? My Symbiocene series explores the resistance to the Anthropocene — the interconnected, regenerative relationships between humans and nature — part of my ongoing environmental storytelling through art. Everything and everyone is so intricately connected that we can’t predict exactly what will happen next — but that interconnectedness gives me hope.
Stay tuned for more details as the launch approaches!
