
ART NATURE ENVIRONMENT BEAUTY
Redefining responses how we engage with environmental changes
Vivienne is an artist–researcher whose practice sits at the intersection of inquiry, creativity, and environmental storytelling. She works with our evolving natural environment, shaped by planetary shifts. Through Japanese ink paintings (sumi-e), sculpture, and filmmaking — she translates complex ecological change into sensory experiences, portraying our delicate ecosystems. Observation of nature serves as an overarching theme, capturing the subtle shifts of the 72 Japanese micro-seasons.
Amid a time when two in five plant species are facing extinction, Vivienne seeks to normalise the conversation around biodiversity — not through alarm, but through tenderness. She believes that metaphors in storytelling are powerful tools to speak of loss and renewal with beauty and compassion.
These observations inform a series of ongoing projects. Her work invites reflection on cultural tradition, on the ways we perceive information, and on how we engage with the natural world of which we are part.
Vivienne follows plants, seeds, and food cultures as they adapt to changing climates. She moves gently between research and making, including soil, water, fire, and air — the elements that sustain life — and opening space for renewed care and connection.
Her work explores the life cycle of plants, particularly their journey to seed production, with special attention to preserving the knowledge she gathers along the way, as we are all learning to adapt to climate shifts.
You are invited to learn more about Vivienne’s creative practice here — and about being a sumi-e artist here.
'Nature holds the key to our cognitive, intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic fulfilment' E. O. Wilson
Explore ongoing projects
Vivienne likes to work on long-term projects, regularly adding her new learnings from her research, investigations and collaboration with her advisors.
An invitation to connect with the natural world:
Other studio activities
International exhibitions, art education—including the development of a sustainable primary and secondary school art syllabus, classes, talks, and workshops—as well as collaborations with advisors, commissions, books, artist residencies, and a focus on using natural art materials.
News
Behind The Scenes!
I am collaborating with Ribbons Music, Sara Coleman and Rebecca Nash Keys on their upcoming release. One of my Symbiocene paintings will feature on the CD cover.
At the November album launch, at World Heart Beat in London, all six original Symbiocene sumi-e / Japanese ink paintings will be on display and for sale, alongside limited edition prints, postcard sets and maybe some merchandise.
What makes me hopeful? My Symbiocene series explores the resistance to the Anthropocene — the interconnected, regenerative relationships between humans and nature — part of my ongoing environmental storytelling through art. Everything and everyone is so intricately connected that we can’t predict exactly what will happen next — but that interconnectedness gives me hope.
Stay tuned for more details as the launch approaches!
