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- Emma Pyke
Emma
Pyke
The Humanity, the Industrialised and the Domesticised Nature of the Rural Irish Landscape
In my classroom research, I explore the relationship between humanity and the land, with the goal of enhancing students’ art practice. By encouraging a personal connection to the landscape as a creative stimulus, I aim to enrich learning across various subject matter, fostering artistic expression, along with cross-curricular understanding. My interdisciplinary art practice draws inspiration from the Irish rural landscape, embracing its natural allure and the effects of industrialization and domestication. Exploring the narratives embedded within and survive the terrain of these landscapes, I delve into their tainted memories, unravelling the interplay between human intervention and the untouched natural world. Having grown up in the midlands, I experience both the beauty and flaws of these landscapes. From using boglands for heating to witnessing the environmental impact of turf cutting, I am fascinated by the landscape’s role in personal and cultural identity. Through my work, I juxtapose the stark contrast between mechanical structures and natural forms, capturing the essence of human presence amidst the tranquil ambience of the terrain. I aim to evoke a dreamlike atmosphere of the past, present and future using monochromatic and natural hues