Nature based projects with aspects of participatory and cross-disciplinarian collaborations. Seeking to make art for human contemplation but also for a functioning ecosystem by exploring the role of the artist in improving biodiversity as well as artistic ways of encouraging human-nature connectedness.

I have been gardening professionally for 23 years, and a glass artist based on botanicals for 14 years. My glass work is currently a hobby but i would like to expand this in the near future. I live in Marcham, Oxfordshire

I’m a potter living and working in Oxfordshire. I make mostly decorative pottery and I also teach pottery. I have been concerned about the impact of my ceramic work for some years and have been educating myself and changing my practice. There is a growing movement in the pottery world looking at working in a more ecologically friendly way. I have not drawn up a plan of action yet but these are the actions I have undertaken to date:-

regular servicing of my kilns, so they are working optimally
only firing my kilns when full, limiting the overall number of firings, and usually only firing to lower temperatures
Asking my neighbours to pass my their packaging so I can re-use it
exploring methods of working, particularly decorating, which do not use minerals but locally grown plants

In his eighth decade, Chris Wardle (Hamza) works at being happy and grateful, while writing through his second childhood with an eye for wonder, a taste for questions, and a growing sense of proximity to the Sacred. Beholden for the support and encouragement of the Oxford Poetry Library in improving his craft, he is currently – and unapologetically – un-social-media-averse, (although that may change) but you can reach him at: TheHealingCup@protonmail.com