An artist has donated original nature-inspired paintings to Highbury Wildlife Garden to support a borough-wide initiative to help residents connect with nature and improve wellbeing.
Jackie Morris, artist and author, has given 16 ink paintings of animals, birds and plants found in the gardens. She hopes to create a “place of peace” for park visitors to enjoy.
Morris was contacted for this project because of her passion for helping children learn about nature. She said: “I was asked to provide images for signage at the garden, which was created around The Lost Words,” referring to her collection of poems written in collaboration with Robert Macfarlane.
In line with her artwork, the book encourages children to rediscover nature-related words that have fallen out of common use and deepen their appreciation of the natural world.
Christopher Jelley, poet, managed the project with Morris. He laser etched her drawings into oak wood to align with the woodland theme.
Morris said he “worked fiercely hard to make [the donation] happen”.
Islington Council’s initiative focuses on improving local green spaces to support people’s mental health.
Dave Norman, who works at Bright Start Central, a council run service that supports families and children, said: “The more biodiverse space, the more positive impact on children and adults … there’s vast evidence for the benefits of doing it.”
Morris said: “If children don’t learn about nature, they don’t see it, and the wilder world is in a dangerous balance. Learning to love it is the first step towards respect.”
Ella is an MA Newspaper Journalism student at City St George's university. She also works as a news reporter for Pharmafile, a health and pharmaceutical magazine.