Vivienne Schadinsky

contemporary & environmental art — nature is the inspiration

ART NATURE ENVIRONMENT BEAUTY

Redefining responses how we engage with environmental changes

Vivienne is an artist who works with our evolving natural environment that is influenced by the planetary changes. Through ink paintings, printmaking, sculpture and filmmaking she portrays our delicate ecosystems. The observation of nature serves as an overarching theme, capturing the subtle changes that occur within the 72 Japanese micro seasons.

These observations lead to a series of ongoing projects. Her work invites reflection on our cultural tradition, how we perceive information, and our engagement with the natural world of which we are part of.

Through extensive research on climate change and pollution, Vivienne's art reflects on the loss of biodiversity, portraying future foods and endangered plants thriving in changing climates. Her work emphasises the criticality of food security, whilst also addressing clean air, fresh water, and soil health.

Vivienne communicates her knowledge through her art, hoping to inspire collective efforts within communities by learning about nature-based solutions and about actionable steps we can take — to feel more hopeful, empowered and encouraged to make a change.

Her diverse work also explores the life cycle of plants, especially their journey to seed production. There is a special focus on how to manage and preserve the knowledge she gathers along the way, as we are all students learning to adapt to climate shifts.

Vivienne receives direct advice from scientists and philosophers. Her projects invite collective thought, conversation and critical reflection upon the important role art plays in our evolving relationship to nature.

'Nature holds the key to our cognitive, intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic fulfilment' E. O. Wilson

Ongoing environmental art projects

an invitation to connect with the natural world

TWELVE

Observation of the botanical seasons
Documenting plants as they appear over the course of twelve month – and raising awareness to curb climate change to ensure the seasons can continue.
SUNRISE - SUNSET

Endangered and extinct flowers
Many flowers and trees that have never been on the endangered list before are rapidly vanishing. Plant extinction is occurring up to 500 times faster than what would be expected naturally.
MAGIC HOUR

Endangered food plants and fungi
There is a very rapid extinction happening in our food chain due to climate change like for example in some of our favourites like, coffee, grapes, chocolate, bananas, avocado, chamomile and vanilla.
TERRA

Circles
Symbolising strength, wholeness and infinity. Representing the earth, the sun and the moon
CIBUS

Future food
Some food plants might help to diversify our increasingly unvaried diets and are crucial in helping to improve global food shortages.
SEGES

Food plants thriving after extreme weather
With the advance of climate change, unprecedented weather patterns such as droughts, fires and flooding are becoming more frequent. Finding staple foods plants that can survive or thrive in these circumstances are essential.
BEANS

Sustainable food of the future
Beans and legumes will become an even more important crop for future food solutions with the climate shifting, as they don't need many nutrients and legumes are nitrogen fixing amongst various other benefits.
URBANA

Tree health after extreme heat and drought
They are affected by the unusual hot and dry or wet weather. Urban trees in London grow in a different way than ever before. Their loss of energy due to this stress is interrupting their own cycle and also photosynthesis was shortened.
SOIL

Earth health
Soil is an irreplaceable resource that nurtures our plants and microorganisms and therefor all other life too. The ecosystems rely on the health and richness of it. This means it is the foundation of our food system and helps to provide us with essential nutrients.
TWILIGHT

Clean air
Layered ink paintings, air quality graph collages and cork willow installations resembling our lung trees. A metaphorical interpretation of our relationship with air and an exploration what nature exposed to pollution shows us about the health of our planet.
SINE AQUA NON VITA

Fresh water
Life and water belong ultimately together. Water is a unique source that underpins all drivers of growth. Only 2.5% of all water on Earth is fresh water, of which less than 1% is accessible – yet this resource is essential for human life.
FRAGILE WORLD

One dandelion
Life cycle, change, nature of mortality and the mortality of nature – the perfect imperfection.
The resilience of the dandelion: A story of hope, change and potential.
A CURIOUS FRIENDSHIP

Plant to seed production
Seeds are vital for life on Earth. In this project they are wrapped into a pouch juxtaposed with its plant. They become a metaphor for life itself and the cycle of birth, death and regeneration.
FLORA

Short films
Botanical meditations – connecting us with nature

explore all projects

More about Vivienne’s art practice.

It also encompasses art education — the development of a sustainable secondary school art syllabus, classes, talks and workshops — collaboration with advisors, international exhibitions, commissions, artist residencies and she shares some information on her emphasis of using natural art materials.

other studio activities