Words from the Wild
The Nature of Poetry
Exhibition Catalogue
Introduction
Words from the Wild: The Nature of Poetry explores different forms of poetry, all of which respond to the natural world. The exhibition expands on what we might think of as a poem, to include films, textile banners, sculptures in beeswax, and prints made from 'listening' to trees. It brings together pieces by award-winning and internationally exhibited eco-poets and language artists, including J. R. Carpenter, Susan Johanknecht and Katharine Meynell, Camilla Nelson and Redell Olsen, along with works by an emerging new generation.
Eco-poetry is concerned with closely observing, being with and gathering from the more-than-human world; exploring the many ways that language connects with the realms of plants and fungi, animals, birds and insects, and the elemental and microbial processes of water, air, soil, weather.
The exhibition has been curated by Royal Holloway and TECHNE researchers Caroline Harris, Briony Hughes and Gareth Hughes, in collaboration with the Royal Holloway Culture team.
Animals and Birds
Animals and Birds
Deer Collar (Icon) I: Lockhart
Deer Collar (Icon) II: Mrs B Pearl
Printed iPhone image with faux silver leaf, iridescent ink, pages from the novel Bambi: A Life in the Woods, by Felix Salten
From the artist's collection
Deer Collar (Tangled) III: The White Hart
Deer Collar (Tangled) IV: Tapestry
iPhone images printed on to Khadi cotton rag paper with iridescent ink, silk embroidery thread
From the artist's collection
Poem-deer
Caroline Harris, Poem-deer, 2023
7 origami paper deer printed with text by Cat Chong
From Deer/Dear: A Collaboration by Cat Chong and Caroline Harris
7 Chimera Poems for Cat Chong
Caroline Harris, 7 Chimera Poems for Cat Chong, 2023
Poems on individual recycled silver inclusion paper sheets
From Deer/Dear: A Collaboration by Cat Chong and Caroline Harris
DEER rain / HOW TO make up your own rule
Cat Chong, DEER rain / HOW TO make up your own rule, 2023
Typed poem on receipt paper
From Deer/Dear: A Collaboration by Cat Chong and Caroline Harris
The Taro as Deer: Major Arcana
Caroline Harris, The Taro as Deer: Major Arcana, 2022
A deck of 22 poetic tarot cards
From Deer/Dear: A Collaboration by Cat Chong and Caroline Harris
Microsporidial
Briony Hughes, Microsporidial, 2019
Saddle-stitched pamphlet published by Sampson Low
From the artist's collection
Cut-out Bambi
Caroline Harris, Cut-out Bambi, 2021
Landscape artist's book with folded pages and a mirror film cover
From the artist's collection
r/aww deer
Caroline Harris, r/aww deer, 2023
Section sewn artist's book with exposed spine and flower inclusion paper cover
From the artist's collection
Type Flight
Caroline Harris, Type Flight, 2020
Hand-typeset letterpress poem printed on Zerkall Wavy Laid with Bhutanese Khadi resho endpapers. Printed in the Michael Turner Albion Press Room at Corsham Court, Wiltshire
From the artist's collection
Deer Leg
Caroline Harris, Deer Leg, 2021
Double-sided multi-fold pamphlet inkject-printed on Zerkall Smooth White
From the artist's collection
Enclosures
Susie Campbell, Enclosures, 2021
Singer sewn pamphlet published by Osmosis Press
From the artist's collection
A Moment of Writhing i-iv
A Moment of Writhing (real-time tracing)
Camilla Nelson, A Moment of Writhing, 2023
Pencil on tracing paper
From the artist's collection
Insects
Insects
Bee Swarm
Astra Papachristodoulou, Bee Swarm, 2021
Urethane resin and water-based inks
From the artist's collection
Selected Variations for Bees (Artist's Book)
Astra Papachristodoulou, Selected Variations for Bees (Artist's Book), 2022
Beeswax and wax paper
From the artist's collection
Diapause: at night 'Calling the Hours'
Redell Olsen, Diapause: at night 'Calling the Hours', 2021
From Weather, Whether Radar: Plume of the Volants. Digital print on glass
From the artist's collection
Diapause: Small TV
Redell Olsen, Diapause: Small TV, 2021
Digital print of paper collage
From the artist's collection
Diapause: At Night
Redell Olsen, Diapause: At Night, 2021
Digital print of paper collage
From the artist's collection
Diapause: Thermal Threshold
Redell Olsen, Diapause: Thermal Threshold, 2021
Digital print of paper collage
From the artist's collection
Diapause: 'Cloudy, We Emerge into the Sunlight'
Diapause: 'Some of us Convert Cupboards'
Redell Olsen, 2021
Prints on fabric
From the artist's collection
Diapause: Meek
Diapause: Holes in Wings
Diapause: Thermal Threshold
Redell Olsen, 2021
Texts
From the artist's collection
A Proposal For An Interspecies Opera, Not Necessarily For Performance
Redell Olsen, A Proposal For An Interspecies Opera, Not Necessarily For Performance, 2021
Digital prints of paper collages
Texts
From Weather, Whether Radar: Plume of the Volants
Works from the artist's collection
Amulets for Insects i and ii
Redell Olsen, Amulets for Insects i and ii, 2021
Digital prints
From the artist's collection
A Proposal For An Interspecies Opera, Not Necessarily For Performance
Libretto for Insects
Redell Olsen, A Proposal For An Interspecies Opera, Not Necessarily For Performance Libretto for Insects, 2021
Glass and metal hinged book
From the artist's collection
Plants and Trees
Plants and Trees
Leavings
Kate Siklosi, Leavings
Prints of visual poems made from found natural materials, dry transfer lettering and sewing
Printed with permission from the artist
Poetry of Unknown Words
Susan Johanknecht and Katharine Meynell, Poetry of Unknown Words, 2017
Letterpress on printed map
From the collection of the artists
Decayed
Astra Papachristodoulou, Decayed, 2023
Horse Chestnut bark and Letraset
From the artist's collection
Clootie Ribbons
Caroline Harris, Clootie Ribbons (Rhodes Edition), 2020
25 typewritten linen wishing ribbons
From the artist's collection
Forest Listening
Liz K Miller, Forest Listening, 2019
Canvas banners with audio track, corresponding soundscape played via projection reel. Made in partnership with Surrey Hills Arts with support from Techne DTP
From the artist's collection
Water and Weather
Water and Weather
The Pleasure of the Coast: 'The Route of La Recherche'
J. R. Carpenter, The Pleasure of the Coast: 'The Route of La Recherche'
Mudlarks
Briony Hughes, Mudlarks, 2020
Six debossed handmade *Thames Water* paper leaves in one frame
From the artist's collection
Sea Grammar
Briony Hughes, Sea Grammar, 2023
Concertina bookwork bound with algae-dyed thread. Cover printed with found Adana letterpress type
From the artist's collection
we who collect
Hannah Harding, we who collect, 2022
Artist's book, printed on handmade lokta paper
From the collection of the artist
it's not true
J. R. Carpenter, it's not true, 2020
Saddle-stitched pamphlet excerpted from The Pleasure of the Coast
From the artist's collection
The Pleasure of the Coast
J. R. Carpenter, The Pleasure of the Coast, 2023
Perfect bound book published by Pamenar Press
From Briony Hughes's collection
Weather Dialogue
Briony Hughes, Weather Dialogue, 2023
Thermoprinted hand-marbled scrolls
From the artist's collection
Projections
Astra Papachristodoulou, Bee War, 2020
Astra Papachristodoulou, Bee War, 2020
Camilla Nelson/Worms, A Moment of Writhing, 2023
Camilla Nelson/Worms, A Moment of Writhing, 2023
Tanicia Pratt, Poinciana Tell Me ta Burn, 2021
Tanicia Pratt, Poinciana Tell Me ta Burn, 2021
Hannah Harding, we who collect, 2022
Hannah Harding, we who collect, 2022
Tanicia Pratt, Olokun's Son, 2022
Tanicia Pratt, Olokun's Son, 2022
Richard Beason, Knepp soundscape, 2018
Richard Beason, Knepp soundscape, 2018
Liz K Miller, Forest Listening (audio track), 2019
Liz K Miller, Forest Listening (audio track), 2019
Acknowledgements
The curation of Words from the Wild is a collaboration between Caroline Harris, Briony Hughes, Gareth Hughes, and the Royal Holloway Culture team, with support from the Poetics Research Centre, the Centre for Visual Cultures, and the Living Sustainably Research Catalyst.
This exhibition would not have been possible without assistance from our partners across and beyond the College. Special thanks to the exhibited poets, postgraduate students on the Poetic Practice Pathway of the MA in Creative Writing, the Techne AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership, the RHUL Poetry Society, Maintenance Services, the Porters, AV Services, Studio Noon, and BAF Graphics.
Find out more about exhibitions at Royal Holloway: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/the-library/the-exhibition-space-at-the-emily-wilding-davison-building/
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