Fri 20 Sept 10am - 6.30pm
Sat 21 Sept 10am - 4pm

This conference will explores themes of place, people and natural landscapes in relation to access to land, National Parks, Public Art Collections and collective acts of ecological care. It aims to re-examine and radically reposition the role that art can play in this time of climate and nature crisis, moving beyond human-centred meaning and extractive narratives of nature in art and wider cultures of landscapes. Taking place in a treehouse venue within a New Forest woodland this two-day conference will dwell upon the urgent intersections of art and landscapes in a time of ecological crisis. Exploring:  

• Histories and future possibilities of place-based art and historic landscape painting in relation to social advocacy for nature preservation. 

• Collective and commoning activity as acts of connection, kinship and stewardship.

• Values of National Parks and Art Collections in belonging to publics and fostering care.

• Long Views: climate crisis timelines, landscapes viewed from afar, actions beyond a human life span… 

Alongside presentations and panel discussions the two-day conference will also include some outdoor sessions, exhibited artworks and the launch of DAI (Digitised Art Index) New Forest edition. 

* FULL PROGRAMME/ CONFERENCE INFO will be regularly updated here

* A map and further info will be sent to delegates approximately 10 days prior to the conference.

* If you have any particular access needs or any other queries please do just drop us an email at mail@morethanponies.info

8  – 10 December 2022, 10am – 4pm

St Nicholas' Church, Church Ln, Brockenhurst SO42 7UB map link

Opening reception 4 - 6pm Wed 7 Dec please book to attend here

Situated in the sacred space of St Nicholas’ Church, ‘Ancient and Unknown’ is an exhibition of new works of contemporary art by twenty-two emerging artists. The exhibition creatively responds to the rich history and narratives of the New Forest and St Nicholas church. The artists, who are students at Arts University Bournemouth, have explored and responded to themes including nature, mythology and folklore, spirituality, faith, religion, the architecture of the church, memorials and ceremonies. The artworks will include sculptures, interactive works, paintings and performance. 

Contributing artists: Kathryn Addis, Rubius Allerton, Karolina Bawol, Rebekah Bolton, Renée Claude, Nancy-Violet Downs, Savannah Goggins, Amelie Golby, Baileigh Hensman, Kate Howley, Lucy Kenny, Sehar Kharawala, Nikki Sang Min Lee, Leah Mack, Pritish Majumder,Eero Johannes Mäkinen, Felicity Milner, Phoebe Moon, Aatira Nair, Benjamin New, Maisie Perkins, Abbie Snelling. Supported by artist Laura Eldret, Director of More Than Ponies. 

#ancientandandunknown

An Arts University Bournemouth and More Than Ponies exhibition.