BIO
Beth Boyes graduated in 2020 with an MA in Fine Art from York St John. Her art practice is positioned from an autobiographical stance, making connections with change in nature and the nature of change in materials, illuminating transitional female journeys, through the concept of the wise woman.
Alchemy and nature play a pivotal role in her work, conveying the ephemeral and transformative potential of organic matter. Working closely with nature to develop natural pigments and dyes, exploring the traditions of making colour from nature and combining this with colour from foraged and found materials. The layering of materials evokes memories lost, then rediscovered. This process of making and telling stories led seamlessly to a collaboration with artist Kerry Fox, where research of women’s histories, myths, folklore and how their individual practices combine to explore a sense of self as women, to create a ‘space’ of contemplation within their landscape.
ABOUT THE ART
We Once Were...
Installation inspired by the Old Wife’s Way
(Wife taken from Wif meaning woman)
Our individual art practices have concentrated on the perspective of the female voice, women as mothers, carers and or within transitional stages from maiden, mother, crone or the more modern day youth, mother, menopause. Through SelfScapes we interweave our lived experiences alongside that of our ancestors.
Our collaboration has focused upon how women have been connected to the landscape for shelter, passage and through the myths and folklore that embody the North Yorkshire Moors and how that resonates with our senses of self, our heritage, the traditions handed down (crafts), of strength, fragility, and eco feminism. Our work is a dedication to what we once were, are and will be, symbolised by staffs emerging from the ground, bound in the ancient ways of the wise women and local goddesses who were once connected closely within the landscape where women and the land were bound together and celebrated. The work was also inspired by our pilgrimage to the Old Wives Well at Stape, adorned with clooties as offerings for healing. The resulting installation has taken the threads of our research, wanderings and exploration of materials to produce a dedication not just to our SelfScape but to the past, present and future women of the landscape.