in Rerum Natura - in the nature of things - is the title of my MA Fine Art project which consists of research along with a series of images.

I am interested in the structure, order and classification of the natural world, in why we have the need to classify and create order and in the Latin names given to all living things: what the names mean, why they were given, who named them and how this impacts on both visual and written language.

In this Site and Archive Intervention project I investigate the issues involved in classification as complexity is removed and individuality or character, is lost. In doing so I explore the interpretation and use of signs and representational imagery, philosophies and ancient belief systems, consider cognitive science and how we interpret images by using our senses, memories and past experiences and how this ultimately affects our perception of the subject.

Using the medium of photography and with wild plants as subject matter, I show how this understanding can effectively be used to create an alternative means of classification and the impact that this has on what we see. It also looks at how we connect with nature and offers some ideas for allowing a wider audience to enjoy the natural world on our own doorsteps.

The MA Show is currently on at UCLAN in Preston, with my exhibition at the Centre For Contemporary Art at 37 St Peters Street - opposite the UCLAN Library. Originally due to run until Thursday 17th, my show has now been extended to run until 25th September. A selection of cards featuring the images are available to purchase.

A slideshow of images used in the project can be seen here