A DIY (do it yourself) art movement is spreading in opposition to the capitalist trends of the “high art” realm. It’s a movement that kindles idealistic hopes for the possibilities of art, even amid the reality of the contemporary art world’s elitism and market-driven nature.

Many DIY artists and collectives are functioning on local, community levels to create projects that benefit the communities in which they are working. Richard Shilling is a fine example of one of these DIY artists. He got his start in seeing an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture and doing his best to imitate it:

A number of years ago I discovered an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture on a wild moor … I looked into the work of Andy Goldsworthy and was absolutely captivated and astounded by what I discovered. His work inspired me so much that I went out and had a go myself. I hadn’t really created any art before but found much solace in it.

I’m hopeful that the DIY work of artists such as Richard Shilling will spark new excitement in those who have turned away in disgust from the commercialization of the art world as a whole.

Shilling takes notes from Goldsworthy to create ephemeral works out of natural materials in their found environments. He says he revisits the sculptures he makes and watches how they change over time. He relates their changes, and even their destruction, to the cycle of life itself. Shilling asserts that nature shows us how interconnected we are. And by using natural materials (which often have life cycles of their own), he creates a portrait of human spirituality. His sculptures use differences in color, tone, lighting, and the structures of natural materials to create moments of surprise in the environment. Shilling explains:

My art is all about immersing yourself in nature and experiencing her many layers … You can only use what you find, and the elements play a big part in what you are able to create. Through this you learn so many subtle and not so subtle things about the natural world.

There is a pedagogic quality to Shilling’s work. It comments on nature and its relationship to the industrial societies of today. One could ask, with all of the technologic advances and forces of society, have we lost touch with our most primal selves? Through photographic documentation and experience of sculptures in person, Shilling pushes the viewer to reconsider their standing with nature.

The artwork is political in its environmentalist advocacy. “Advanced” industrial society has not just forgotten nature but has actively destroyed much of it. Climate change, destruction of wildlife, the BP Oil Spill, and landfills may be some of technology’s greatest results. Shilling’s work suggests that there is a bounty of untapped wisdom available in the intricacies of nature, and that we must honor it. Shilling’s artwork is a wake-up call in this respect; he says:

You could take a single square foot of ground in a wood or a hedge and find so many different plants and creatures there. What you find will change endlessly throughout the seasons. This gives me a sense of insignificance in the face of such infinite diversity, but [a sense of] belonging too, as it is all interconnected.

Shilling is passionate about bringing this message onto children. He has published two books for children on land art and runs workshops for children, parents, and schools. He says:

I really am on a mission to get kids into this activity … You can sit down any place and make a sculpture straight away. You don’t need any special equipment or tools – it can be done for free anywhere! In the modern world we now live in life is so fast-paced, so focused on consumerism, on having more than the next person. Kids are becoming more sedentary, playing computer games and watching TV. Parents are becoming more protective and it seems that many are worried about letting our kids run free to play and just be. Many of these things seem to be worrying trends, and coupled with our unceasing gradual destruction of our planet, it seems to me that an activity which encourages fun and free outdoor activity, and appreciation of nature and of the small things in life, can only be a force for good.

Shilling’s work is not only visually captivating; it also has a social consciousness and is available for everyone to enjoy. His desire to spread his work, his usage of alternative venues (nature sites and the internet), and his succinct political message make him a rare gem in the art world.

See more of Richard Shilling’s land sculptures in the Tikkun Daily Art Gallery. You can also visit Shilling’s website to order his books and see more of his work.