As stewards of this planet we are each becoming more aware of how every action we take can affect the crisis we find ourselves in. By raising awareness and prompting discussion on pertinent issues artists and the art they make can encourage us to reflect for a moment, to consider the small or even radical changes we might make in our daily lives.

But artists also need to think about their own consumption and production and take responsibility for the impact their practice may have on the environment. It is with these thoughts in mind that artist Suzanne Carroll and curator Shannon Carroll selected eight artists from around the country for this environmentally low impact project.

The title Barnavave-Tread Softly reflects this ethos and artist were asked to consider their process inputs and materials used when making work in response to this rural setting. Other than the initial site visit where car pooling was encouraged, meetings were held on zoom. Where possible materials have been produced sustainably they are up-cycled or biodegradable e.g. natural l produced textiles, wool, paper, flower blossom or wood. Alternatives have been found for materials using plastic e.g. potato starch or milk glue instead of PVA glue. Artists have made their own Gorse blossom lake pigment to paint and charred animal bones have been ground down to make charcoal. Found sheep’s wool has become part of a sculpture and Dandelion Mead was shared with visitors as part of a performance piece on the day.