Nichola Rodgers
Growing up in the Northwest of England has deeply influenced my art practice, shaping the core of my research. My surroundings have always informed my creative journey, an evolving relationship with the object, nature, and womanhood.
In the early years of my practice, I worked with traditional, object-focused methods, creating pieces that offered a sense of permanence and security. These conventional materials and techniques were a strong foundation, but over time, I felt constrained by them. As my awareness of environmental issues deepened, I questioned the sustainability of my practice and the lasting impact of the materials I was using. This led to a significant shift in my work—a transition from creating fixed objects to incorporating a more fluid, sustainable, and nature-driven approach.
I turned to foraging, a practice I did for health and relaxation, these natural materials have become central in my art practice, allowing me to connect more profoundly with the environment.
By gathering plants, berries, and organic materials from the land, I began creating pigments, and inks, researching plants that are edible, and medicinal, and can be used creatively thus aligning my practice with an eco-conscious philosophy.
This process not only reflected my commitment to sustainability but also introduced a liberating sense of creative freedom. My materials now often embrace impermanence and biodegradability, reflecting the cyclical nature of life and challenging traditional notions of art as something that must endure indefinitely. This practice opened my eyes and awakened my mind to an ancient connection women have with the earth. A tradition and culture that has long been forgotten, buried deep within our psyche, waiting to be explored.
Letting go of conventional methods was not without its challenges. Releasing my attachment to permanence required me to rethink my creative process and embrace the idea that art could evolve, transform, and even decay over time. Yet this transition has been deeply rewarding, cathartic even, offering new creative possibilities that are in harmony with both nature and my values.
Today, my art practice is centered on the fluidity of humanity within our landscape, and researching these lost connections with nature.
How the ephemeral can feed and heal our minds and bodies while helping our progress to sustainability within the arts.
I create narratives that explore how fragmented memories and nature intersect with surrounding cultures. I draw on historical foraging techniques, natural material science, and an eco-conscious approach to art-making. For me, the process—the act of collecting, creating, and engaging with the natural world—is just as important as the final product.
I am also passionate about community engagement and collaboration. As a co-founder of Haus-a-rest, an online art zine, I help bring together like-minded artists, writers, poets, and theorists to highlight new and established creatives. In addition, I have organised exhibitions in unconventional spaces, ranging from small traveling galleries and pop-ups in disused buildings to larger shows in commercial venues, both locally and internationally.
My work now sits at the intersection of art and nature, embracing the ephemeral and celebrating the sustainable. Through this journey, I’ve found a deeper respect for the natural world and a renewed sense of freedom in my creative process, and I look forward to continuing this evolving exploration.
