Workshop: “Knowing Thyme Nicely”: Mindfully Observing Plants
In this meditative and creative workshop, we will use our observational skills and our senses to form a more intuitive idea of a plant, rather than a utilitarian one, with activities used by herbalists to learn their properties.
Through drawing a herb and drinking it as a tea, we will look at the herb’s appearance, its qualities and effects, and share and discuss our observations. Prompts and guidance will be given along the way, and we will look at examples of art and writing describing plants in animist ways - as living entities and in entanglements with humans and their environment. Other examples will also be shared for open discussion.
This session is ideal for anyone who wants to deepen their connection with nature, or is/would like to make art about nature.
This will involve:
Exploring one or two herbs using our senses
Practising looking at a plant intuitively, and what that means
Talking collectively around something, and knowledge sharing
Looking at and discussing art and writing that talks about plants in an animist way
The session will leave you with an understanding of the practice of observing and being with plants, which you can continue to utilise as a way of researching or making art.
Paper and pencils can be provided, and you are encouraged to bring a sketchbook and your favourite materials.
Meet Joseph
Joseph is an artist, and a former Walworth Garden student. His work focuses on plants and actualising the statement “we co-habit with nature.”
Price: £85 / Free for Southwark residents
Free places are available for Southwark residents aged 19+. To check whether you are eligible, please click here.
To claim your free place, click ‘Book Here’ below, and enter code ‘SOUTHWARK’ under ‘Redeem Coupon’.
You will then be charged a £10 deposit in order to claim your place, but this will be refunded to you after you attend the workshop.
Please note that you will be required to fill in a Southwark Council form, including some personal information, in order to confirm your place on a workshop, which will be sent to you via email. Your place will not be confirmed until this has been completed.