On one of my daily walks over lockdown, I noticed the word ‘TOAD’ chalked on the pavement, with an arrow pointing to an empty space. I was excited by this record of the sighting of a toad, and so took a photo, which I posted as part of my daily 10 Instagram photos. Only when someone added the word ‘FLAX’ in the comments did I realise this had been the trace not of a toad, but of an urban botanist! And so began my own practice, using plant identification apps on my daily walk, to identify the urban weeds and then chalking their names in situ and documenting them. Occasionally I would create an acrostic from the plant name. The project evolved, and was supported by Metal Culture; I made a film from the findings. I also delivered Zoom poetry workshops for #PoetsforthePlanet using this work as a starting point.
Future Network Shorts #4 : Claire Collison, Living Room Expedition
Claire Collison is a writer, artist, and educator whose work spans photography, poetry, performance, installation, and participatory events. She frequently uses herself in her practice, and makes work around identity, women, health, and representation.
She enjoys creating site-specific projects, strongly believing that ‘nothing happens nowhere’, and making work that is only complete when people are added.
Website: clairecollison.com
Twitter: clairecollison1
Insta: @adalodge