AN artist from Conwy has charted the healing power of the outdoors in her new exhibition in Caernarfon.
Conwy-based-Jocelyn Roberts’ latest exhibition, Shinrin-yoku (which means forest bathing in Japanese), is drawn from her feelings of being separated from the world during the pandemic
In her latest exhibition at Life: Full Colour, Jocelyn charts the healing power of the outdoors and delivers an immersive experience that touches heart, body and soul.
The impact of lockdown and the realisation that most people are far removed from nature has spurred Jocelyn Roberts to create a collection of work that examines the physiological and psychological benefits of spending time outdoors.
Shinrin-yoku is the latest solo exhibition by the artist to appear at Caernarfon gallery, Life: Full Colour.
Set to open on August 12, the exhibition will feature 25 oil paintings of still life botanicals which are modern realism in style.
Many of the featured plants are medicinal and have often been painted where they grow, giving visitors the chance to see each plant in all its rawness, without pretence or attempt to beautify it.
Explaining the origins of the exhibition, Jocelyn said: “I’m used to my own company as I spend a lot of time on my own during the week, so I thought lockdown would be a breeze.
“It was the worst time of my life. I realised how much I needed to be out and about, and how much I need people’s company.
“It got to a point where I wouldn’t leave the house, not even to go into my garden.
“I knew it had to change, so I forced myself to go on a daily walk and sketch.
“I live two minutes from the countryside and the sea, and reconnecting with nature got me out of a dark place.”
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to interact with nature-inspired sculptures, as well as immerse themselves in the smells and sounds of the forest.
“The sensory experience will be heightened in this exhibition as we’re adding moss to the walls, filtering the sounds of the forest throughout the gallery, and creating food for the opening that will be mushroom based and forest inspired,” added Ms Roberts.
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“I’ve even carved a yew tree, so people can touch it and feel the ancientness of it.
“You’ll get a real sense of the dark, cool earthiness of going into the woods and forest bathing.”
Life: Full Colour owner and founder, Sara McKee, said: “Jocelyn’s show is what we would call pluralistic in terms of art.
“It combines multiple techniques to pitch to all our senses.
“She paints still life, alongside tactile sculpture interspersed with a musical accompaniment.
“This is a brave and strong technique because it challenges us, the viewer, to shift our perspective.
“And yet, each painting invites its own response.
“We’re sure you’ll be enchanted by the whole experience and want to take a piece of the forest home with you.”
Shinrin-yoku will be on at Life: Full Colour from August 12 to September 24.
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