Earth Trust unveils work work Artist in Residence programme

Over the past three months, Oxford-based artist JC Niala, drawing inspiration from the panoramic landscapes, community stories and personal reflections, has created ‘Watching the Light Come In’ for Earth Trust.

Ms Niala said: “It’s been a journey of discovery, collaboration and trust.

JC Niala (Image: Earth Trust)

“I wanted the collaborative legacy artwork to be a collage of our work so that at the end it would be difficult to tell whose hand had made what, but together we made something beautiful.”

Ms Niala incorporated elements of her East African heritage into the work. Her image of Wittenham Clumps is printed on a light cotton based on kanga, a Swahili cloth known for bringing people together.

She continued: “I wanted to make an artwork that reflected my heritage and showed how much I care about Earth Trust – a place that brings people together regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

The unveiling of JC Niala’s work (Image: Earth Trust)

The unveiling took place on April 16 and was attended by Earth Trust volunteers and supporters, and participants of the art workshops which Ms Niala delivered.

Jayne Manley, Earth Trust CEO, said: “We are thrilled to make JC’s artwork a permanent part of the Earth Trust story.

“Her pieces, with their unique blend of visual beauty and poetic insight, are a testament to the importance of our mission – to inspire people to explore, appreciate and take action for the precious natural world around us.

(L-R) Amy Rowland, public programming manager at Earth Trust, artist JC Niala and Jayne Manley, Earth Trust CEO (Image: Earth Trust)

“JC has enabled us to understand that art is not just about what you see, it’s about what you feel, you hear and how you pull all these things together, and how a place can inspire a community.”

The legacy artwork will be showcased in Earth Trust’s Welcome Hub.

Amy Rowland, public programming manager at Earth Trust, said: “The work JC has produced will not only enrich our physical space but also serve as a catalyst for meaningful conversations about the fragility of our natural environment, and our collective responsibility to nurture it.”

JS Niala at a private viewing of her artwork (Image: Earth Trust)

Ms Niala added: “Creating this collaborative artwork has been a magical experience, stitching people together through time and space.

“The running theme throughout my residency at Earth Trust has been people always being able to see the bright side, and how learning through nature allows us to have hope for tomorrow.”

For more information about JC Niala’s residency and artwork, or for more about upcoming events at the Earth Trust Centre, visit Earth Trust’s website.