Guanyin Spore (by Kieren Begley) is infused with the essence of mushroom iconography and is named as such, alluding to both the micro and macro concepts that it embodies.

The earthy and overcast tones used in the mandala are reminiscent of a day spent foraging for mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest, while the theme of fertility, reproduction, and the cycle of life is beautifully represented through the intricate design.

The mandala draws inspiration from the goddess Guanyin, also known as Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, who was gradually transformed from a male deity to a female deity in Chinese culture.

Kieran Begley envisioned this mandala as a spore print of their mind while creating the artwork, showcasing the interconnectedness of all things. Just like spores burst forth from mushrooms as a reproductive method, “Guanyin Spore” invites the viewer to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things on a micro and macro level.

The calming design represents a retraction of intellectual energy into a more collected and connected state of being, much like the goddess Guanyin herself.

Overall, “Guanyin Spore” explores the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world.

Bill Graziano

Lichens are a pioneer species which enable all Life. They are just about the hardiest visible organisms on earth. Mysterious, shape changing, slow growing networks of fungi and algae that slowly dissolve mountains, provide soils, nourishment, home for many things in nature.

Lichens are small group of plants of composite nature, consisting of two dissimilar organisms, an alga and a fungus living in a symbiotic association.

After visiting the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests that are nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I was inspired by the beautifully covered lichen covered rocks to create a sculpture that represented my reaction to seeing them. 

Nature’s Pioneer, and several other forged iron pieces are a part of my series devoted to lichens.

Lichens continue to fascinate me and have been part of my reading for some time. Many fascinating facts about lichens, the role they play in Nature, the uses people have made of them and the model they serve for civilization. 

Lichens are the symbiotic association linking algae and fungi. The algae benefit their fungal partner by producing organic food compounds through photosynthesis. In return, the fungal partner benefits the algae or cyanobacteria by protecting them and gathering moisture and nutrients from the environment.

“Lichens should serve as a template for civilization because they are the essence of symbiosis’

(Source unknown)

Renee Baumann

GATHER PACK Renee weaves with willow that she has wild-harvested from streams and river banks in the Catskills. This process of harvesting one-year growth deepens the roots of the willow, stabilizing environments that are vulnerable to erosion, provides pollen for bees, habitat for birds and shady areas for fish. The byproduct of using wild willow as an art material is cultivating this environment. Renee’s weaving is rooted in traditional European stake and strand weaving, incorporating contemporary techniques as well. The color and surface of the willow is the natural color of the bark. With use, there will be patina and wear, as willow baskets often survive for generations of use. 
The  gather pack design came from a desire for a carrier that was simple, versatile and well-suited to foraging. Typically pack baskets have a vertical storage space and a narrow base. Piling mushrooms vertically is not ideal as the weight damages them, using a wider base allows for more usable space. The slanted opening and moveable straps allows the basket to be worn over one shoulder, making it possible to carry while harvesting and to easily reach into the body of the basket. Designed with gathering mushrooms in mind, the pack is ideal for carrying any easily-damaged items and works as effectively for a trip to the farmer’s market as on a forage.  
A CURIOUS COLLECTION OF EDIBLE MUSHROOMS FOUND IN THE CATSKILLS

This print is the culmination of one year of hunting, collecting and harvesting wild mushrooms, representing all the species of wild mushrooms that the artist ate over the course of one year. The mushrooms were painted at full scale, and are reproduced at full scale as well. Each painting is of an actual mushroom, rather than an idealized compilation of the species. The paintings were all done in pencil, watercolor and colored pencil and are compiled here in an acrylic print. The collection of species is idiosyncratic, an overlap of the artist’s taste, knowledge and with the region she is working in.  

Roberta Trentin

Polypores flux, 2023

Birch polypores mushroom paper.

Polypores flux is an invitation to challenge linear language. Fungi have taught me that communications are not a linear sequence of characters. Instead, more like dance choreography, they are a complex flux of movements based on reciprocity and co-existence. Polypores flux represents a moment in time during the process of paper-making where everything coalesces and presents an opportunity to learn.