Josie
Eco-conscious photo artist
Josie’s eco-conscious photographic practice primarily focuses on the riverine, the estuarine, and the marine. The human use of vital natural resources such as water, soil, and sand plays a central role in her creative impetus. With a leaning towards co-created images made with nature, Josie aims to inspire artivism in others. She has participated in myriad exhibitions and talks, and responded to commissions, while also engaging with scientists, schools, communities, and more to foster dialogue and amplify the voice of nature through photographic mediation. Her practice considers the materiality of photography and image-making, and the future of photography and what that may look like.
Josie founded Cornwall’s first eco-darkroom, ShutterPod, in 2011, and the Photopocene podcast in 2021 to discuss the work and motivations of other eco-conscious photographers. Achieving an MA in Photography with distinction via Falmouth University in 2018, she is now a Visiting Lecturer and a part-time PhD student at the University. Her research explores how indefinable images created with the riverine can mediate between humans and the rights of rivers. Josie is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and provides media support for its Women in Photography group, and is a co-director with the arts organisation CAMP, supporting artists across Cornwall and Devon.
As a creative Guardian, Josie’s work along the banks of the Helford River will encourage the community to immerse themselves in the River’s sensory wonders. Through quiet contemplation and responding to the riverside surroundings, Josie will guide you in co-creating photographic artwork with the riverine. You will practice slow photographic techniques relating to what you are drawn to within the river’s wooded and brackish environment, while its history and folklore will provide a touchstone for creativity and a new connection to the riverscape.
Ilya
Climate Artist
Ilya’s work follows her journey trying to understand the world and what we are doing to it, exploring issues around the climate and nature crisis. She asks why it is that we know so much yet do so little? How can we face the future and find our way to a safer, kinder world? Her work uses oil painting, photography, and stitch, but it is the words layered into each piece that invite us to pause, reflect, and imagine. Ilya’s Solo exhibitions include The Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, Truro, and Exeter Cathedrals. She has also organised several group exhibitions on themes around the climate and nature crisis.
As a Creative Guardian, Ilya would like to offer experiential sessions in the form of a climate cafe listening circle, by the Helford River, co-facilitated by fellow artist and climate activist Tanya Strike, during summer mornings or afternoons. Both Ilya and Tanya have been trained by the Climate Psychology Alliance, and climate cafe listening circles are beautiful sessions where participants come together to share their feelings about the climate and nature crisis. It is a welcoming space where fears, uncertainties, and grief can be safely expressed. Hot drinks and cakes will be provided to participants, what better way to enjoy such creature comforts than by the wonders of the river!