Field Notes: Talks, Events and Workshops

To accompany the Exhibition ‘Practicing Landscape: Field Notes’, a series of Talks, Events and Workshops was organised.

22 April, between 5pm-7pm (at the exhibition opening)
Nalini Caroline Paul, Burying the future (to see what grows), live burial and reading.

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Michael Mersinis, The Olive Tree – Symbol, Icon, Object of Dispute, artist talk.

A talk on the historical background on the relocation of Palestinian Olive Trees from Gaza.

The systematic uprooting of Palestinian olive trees by Israeli forces and settlers is more than an act of environmental destruction—it is a calculated strategy of oppression that exemplifies the broader framework of Israel’s green colonialism. This phenomenon, which integrates ecological policies with settler-colonial objectives, serves as a mechanism of dispossession and control. The regulation and destruction of Palestinian olive groves highlight how environmental narratives are manipulated to justify land appropriation, surveillance, and the erasure of Palestinian identity. This essay explores how green colonialism operates by targeting olive trees, illustrating the intersection of ecological rhetoric and settler-colonial ambitions. The olive tree is deeply rooted in Palestinian history, culture, and economy. These trees, some of which have stood for centuries, symbolize resilience and an enduring connection to the land. Beyond their cultural and symbolic value, olives provide a major source of income for Palestinian farmers, with olive oil production accounting for a significant share of agricultural livelihoods. As such, the destruction of olive trees is not just an environmental or economic issue—it is an attack on Palestinian identity and self-sufficiency.

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30 April, 5pm
Connor Kelly, Field Notes in Low Light (Isle of May Research Project), Artist Talk.

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2 May, all day
Christina McBride, Sustainable photo printing workshops 

Christina ran a workshop introducing Plant-based Cyanotype Toning to students from the Green Spaces Society. This focussed on  Botanical Toning of Cyanotypes using rosemary, mint, and lemon balm which are all growing in the Stow garden. Christina also prepared some green tea and coffee toners just to expand the range of tones the students could work with.

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13 May, 10am–1pm
Justin Carter, Ink-making

Justin made Oak Gall ink in the gallery with discarded rust from the fencing at Stow. This demonstration was ongoing throughout the morning, offering visitors the chance to see the process in action.