Eleanor Neal uses beeswax, tree moss and other raw materials that speak to memories and place where identity and nature intersect. Neal is a two-time fellow at the Hambidge Creative Center Artists Residency Program. Her work has been exhibited at MOCA GA, Chastain Gallery and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Thanks to my residency at Hambidge last summer, I got to spend two weeks immersed in the forest. Long walks there offered an opportunity for connection (as I tuned in to the serenade of night creatures) and escapism (as I got to focus on the beauty of the natural world without distraction). After a year of working in isolation, I discovered a place of comfort in my solitude. My art practice hasn’t been the same ever since.
These days, I’m more inclined to experiment with new materials and processes. I enjoy visiting different sites in Georgia where I can gather plants and flowers to create abstract works of art. My eco-plant printmaking is small and intimate, but it also acknowledges the mightiness of the environment — without overlooking the co-existence of impermanence and uncertainty.
Going forward, I want to explore places near the Georgia Sea Islands where Gullah people celebrate the beauty of the land. Where spirituality is reflected in the life cycles of plants. Where feelings of isolation cultivate inner strength, pride and perseverance — as opposed to despair. If the past two years have taught me anything, it’s that chaos is inevitable. But I’m also more confident in the possibility for healing and redemption as demonstrated by Mother Nature. If my artwork can mirror this duality, I’ll be happy.
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Gail O’Neill is an ArtsATL editor-at-large. She hosts and coproduces Collective Knowledge a conversational series that’s broadcast on THEA Network, and frequently moderates author talks for the Atlanta History Center.
