photo Simon Beckmann
Joya: AiR / Sophie Gibbings / USA
‘My background is in alternative process photography, and I have always made work about nature and the body and the parallels between the “two bodies” – nature’s body and the human body. I came to the UK from California, to do my Masters in Contemporary Photography at Central Saint Martins. I arrived at Joya: AiR in the summer between my first and second year of the course. Since arriving in London, I stopped making representational images and moved towards thinking about the phenomenology of being in nature. I am now more interested in making art WITH nature, instead of ABOUT nature. I use sustainable photographic materials as well as natural materials found in the landscape. When I arrived at Joya: AiR, I was in complete awe of the beauty that surrounds. Simon and Donna have a mission of bringing culture to nature. So much of my creative practice is centered around bringing people back to nature through art. My practice begins with a conversation with the materials before the collaboration can begin. I listen to the materials and ask permission with immense gratitude for their participation and offerings. While at Joya: AiR, I collaborated with the materials that surrounded, creating assemblages, Land Art installations, and performances all done outside, in the landscape. It was important for me to install my art outside to have a conversation about this return to nature through art. I am interested in applying the ideas of regenerative agriculture to talk about regenerative art. It is my hope that my art can create a pathway that leads the participant back to nature and that people will begin to care more about our Mother Earth through this meaningful exchange. Afterall, all our “bodies” come from nature and return to nature, we are all one. Reciprocity is key in the climate crisis, and this is my way of giving back to our beautiful Earth.
Sophie Gibbings was born in Santa Barbara, California (1994) where she spent the first 18 years of her life. She received her BFA in photography from Lesley University College of Art and Design in 2016 (Formally The Art Institute of Boston). Sophie is currently pursuing a Masters in Art in Contemporary Photography: Practices and Philosophy at Central Saint Martins (2023). She lives and works in London.
Most recently, she has exhibited her work at The Chainstore, London, UK, Grayspace Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA, The Mills Building, San Francisco, CA, Harvey Milk Photo Center, San Francisco, CA, Omi Gallery-Impact Hub, Oakland, Carroll and Sons, Boston, MA, and The Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO. Her most recent performance was titled Picture Gallery Helen Frankenthaler at Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK.