Magnetic Field, featured as part of Night Gardens.
Much like an artwork, an ecosystem depends upon precision.
It demands the perfect set of elements, functioning in harmony, to make it be effective.
“Magnetic Field,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
This comparison between art and nature isnt lost on artistMary Mattingly, whose work primarily focuses on environmental concerns.
One such ecosystem isNight Gardens, a series of collages depicting night-blooming plants.
Read on for our exclusive interview with the artist.
“Forest Floor,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
Forest Floor, featured as part of Night Gardens.
What originally drew you to art, and how did you develop your personal style?
I began making water purification systems from discarded materials as a young person.
“Ebb of a Spring Tide,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
It wasnt until later that I saw these as sculptures and made photographs of them and other sculptural tools.
This connection to the natural world became a more intuitive foundation for my vocation as an artist.
Ebb of a Spring Tide, featured as part of Night Gardens.
“Lotic Shoal,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
Lotic Shoal, featured as part of Night Gardens.
What intrigues you about naturalistic imagery, and how do you incorporate this throughout your art?
I was trained as a photographer, and later integrated sculpture with photography.
“Tidepool,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
Im enthralled with learning about how parts of ecosystems function: how life shifts, decays, and adapts.
Tidepool, featured as part of Night Gardens.
Environmentalism and ecosystems figure strongly throughout your art.
“Sun to Moon,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
What compels you to focus on these themes?
Sun to Moon, featured as part of Night Gardens.
Low Tide, featured as part of Night Gardens.
“Low Tide,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
What inspiredNight Gardens, and what was your creative process in creating the series?
I created different environments inside of the terrariums.
Id flood them with water, let them dry out, and experiment with them.
“Night Garden,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
I documented how their growth changed, from being overgrown to dying away.
Learning from plants shifting in response to time and environment became the foundation forNight Gardens.
Night Garden, featured as part of Night Gardens.
“Moon Garden,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
Moon Garden, featured as part of Night Gardens.
How did you decide to use photography and collage as your preferred media forNight Gardens?
What made these two media the most effective?
“Moon Field,” featured as part of “Night Gardens.”
Ive also always made sculptures, which inherently function like collages.
They are made of reclaimed common materials.
Moon Field, featured as part of Night Gardens.
“Swale,” at the Concrete Plant Park in the Bronx, NY.
What do you hope people will take away fromNight Gardensand your work as a whole?
Imagination is critical in co-creating our present and futures, especially in the face of ecological and social challenges.
Swale, at the Concrete Plant Park in the Bronx, NY.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up?
Shoalwill continue the exploration of agroforestry on the water while incorporating salt-tolerant edible plants.
Im also excited about a new sculpture for the Bronx Museum in an exhibition that will open in April.
Mary Mattingly:Website|Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Mary Mattingly.
