This is a nativity scene of all life, not just that of humans. The idea is that life thrives when all living beings thrive together as one interconnected whole.

At the centre is a cone, symbolising the burgeon of life, surrounded by figurines of generic animals. These figurines are placed on a bed of lichen. Lichen represents the foundation of life, being one of the first organisms to appear on the earth’s surface. They also symbolise inter-species cohabitation, as they are a blend of fungi and algae living together in a symbiosis.

This piece is made entirely from raw materials foraged in the woods, from the timber to the figurines, which are made from wild clay that was wood-fired. I just rearranged things that were already there.

Utile timber, lichen, dyes, wood-fired wild clay

24 x 20 x 15 cm

2024