Art Spot: James Brunt

Some beauty to kick start your day, unless you’re overseas and receive it at different hours (what time do the US subscribers receive each day’s post?) . . .

English artist James Brunt – no, not the guy who sings “You’re Beautiful”, that’s James Blunt – makes beautiful ephemeral works of art by arranging natural objects such as sticks, rocks and leaves. The art works don’t last but the photos do.

His working code of practice is set out on his website at:

http://www.jamesbruntartist.co.uk/my-working-code/

Hi all, a few things about me and my working practice. I am very conscious of the environment around me and take into consideration many things when deciding to make a piece of work. This code that I work to now has developed over time as my understanding of my surroundings grows. It wasn’t always the case, but it is now.

1. I don’t take stones away from their habitat. 

2. If working in a popular resort, that welcomes and relies on tourism, I have no issues of moving stones around on a beach, they move 2 twice a day with the tide anyway. Where possible I collect stones from gathered piles, so not partially buried stones if I can avoid it. 

3. If I plan to work in a more sensitive site, I check. For example, last week I went to Spurn Point a nature reserve. I contacted them first to firstly see if they objected, and secondly asked about any considerations. I took on board that advice. They were though, very keen that I went there to work. 

4. In woodlands, If you look at my work, you’ll see that the majority (90% ish) is created directly on existing paths. I don’t want to go trampling flora in the pursuit of making work. The majority of the 10% that is off path, is created in public parks. 

5. I don’t (I have in the past) work in flowing water. Its a personal thing, but I can see the impact on displacement in this situation and don’t particularly see the benefit in me doing so. 

6. I don’t over populate environments with loads of installations. I make a piece of work, which often when finished, will last no longer than a couple of hours (often less).

Gallery: