Treasure Underfoot

The death, decay and decomposition of the forest floor creates rich fertile soil and provides life. This often-overlooked mulch depicts transformation and rebirth. This artwork is 4 hanging fabrics displayed one behind the other representing the layers upon layers of the forest floor. These are partly transparent, partly opaque. They are hung from the top edge, allowing movement, reminding us that the ‘dead’ floor is not static or still. The order these hang in is easily rearranged, echoing the growth and decay cycle of the forest floor. Two of these pieces are dyed satin devorêed with a repeat line-drawing of leaves of the forest floor. The other two pieces are georgette dyed and screen printed with the same repeat pattern. Vivid colours are used instead of the expected muddy browns to represent the vitality this leafy debris provides. Gold foil emphasises a selection of the leaves’ veins - highlighting the essential network bringing life to the leaf. These four art pieces are hung at a height, bringing what is usually ignored and trodden underfoot to eye-level, demanding its recognition.