‘Look! Look! Here is two square feet of the world!’ – Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, 1975
A Piece of Turf is a collaborative exhibition of drawings and text by illustrator Jamie Mills and writer Beatrice Karol. The work observes living, bristling undergrowth and responds to the ecological complexity of even the smallest patch of turf. It is here that dandelions, daisies, meadow grass, plantain, rhizome, beak, wing and bacteria fall into one another, haphazard and teeming.
The body of work explores the idea that ecology is dark, mysterious and magical. Presented as a collection of chinagraph drawings, monoprints and fragmented prose, the exhibition highlights and celebrates the knotted existence present within a seemingly insignificant patch of ground. By looking closer and zooming into the details, it is possible to recognise the abundance of life, death and exchange.
The exhibition is supported Yorkshire Artspace's new microgrant scheme, which provides gallery space, practical support and a marketing budget to help artists realise their independent projects.
Available alongside the exhibition of work will be a limited edition publication, bringing together the images and text. Jamie will be in the gallery on Saturdays to discuss the work and give greater insight into its production and themes.
Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10am–4pm.