Ephemeral Beauty: The Art of Andy Goldsworthy in Nature
Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist (mainly sculptor, land artist, and photographer) known for his work made from natural materials found on the spot such as twigs, leaves, ice, etc.
Goldsworthy worked on a farm in his childhood which fostered his interest in nature. He preferred creating art outdoors instead of in the studio. Some of his earliest works include rock sculptures near his art school and photographed his completed works before his artwork succumbed to natural elements. He is known for his ephemeral art pieces that are a “collaboration with nature”. However he also produced permanent art pieces.
In 2000, Andy Goldsworthy created the Midsummer Snowballs, where 13 snowballs from Scotland where relocated to the streets of London in June. Each snowball had “hidden treasures” such as twigs, rocks, animal hair, and other things to remind the Londoners of life in the countryside.
It’s not about art…It’s just about life and the need to understand that a lot of things in life do not last.
Some of his work is inspired by Robert Smithson and Land Art practitioners from the 1960s-70s. Goldsworthy is associated with the Environmental Art movement with much of his work in the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, the Storm King Art Center in mountainbille, New York, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. He currently resides in Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom.
The theme of time passing and eventual dissolution of materiality is significant to Andy Goldsworthy’s work. By emphasizing ephemerality, Goldsworthy dismisses the notion of art as a commodity meant for display and sale. Moreover, he perceives his utilization of transient materials as a mirror to the perpetually evolving world we inhabit, underscoring the importance of recognizing that nothing is everlasting. Goldsworthy's fascination extends to the historical narrative of the terrain he engages with, encompassing its human inhabitants as well. Recognizing the significance of acknowledging a site's intricate past and the diverse relationships humans have forged with the land, he aptly notes, "Even when absent, people imprint their presence upon a place."
He is most known for his land art and art surrounding nature.
If you wish to learn more about Andy Goldsworthy, there are two documentaries released about his work in nature and process titled: Rivers and Tides: Andy Goldsworthy Working with Time and Leaning Into the Wind.