Artist Journal

Most of our lives happen behind glass, but our bodies crave the texture of the earth. Exploring the 'Tactile Wisdom' of natural materials and the science behind why touching organic surfaces like moss and bark is a powerful, grounding act of reconnection

I used to spend my days in a corporate office, disconnected from the rhythm of the seasons. This is the story of how a struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder led me to discover the "alchemy" of preserved nature. From being self-taught in 2019 to exhibiting at international fairs like COLLECT, my journey has been one of personal healing and a deep mission to bring the grounding power of the natural world back into our indoor lives.

Making something slowly, by hand, feels different now than it used to. In this artist journal entry, I reflect on why craft remains essential in contemporary art, how working with preserved plant materials shapes both the maker and the object, and why living with handmade sculpture brings depth, stillness, and emotional resonance into our spaces.

Explore the art of preserved nature with Paola Di Legge. Learn how Material Memory and organic moss compositions bring the depth of the forest into modern design.

On repetition, labour, and the slow construction of sculptural surfaces using preserved plant materials and process-led making.

As so much of our lives happens behind screens, I’ve noticed a growing hunger for texture and presence. My reflections on the tactile shift in contemporary collecting, material intelligence, and why preserved botanical sculpture invites a slower, deeper connection to our spaces.