Catalogue Essay

Exhibition: ‘Reconnection’

Floating Goose Studios, April 2025

Essayist: OAKEY

“Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth, are never alone or weary of life.” – Rachel Carson

Fiona McIntosh’s debut solo exhibition, Reconnection, builds on her graduate research, reflecting a profound yearning: to re-stitch our frayed bonds with the world around us. Through the lens of the unseen, she invites us to rethink our relationship with the natural world, encouraging a shift in perspective and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all living things.

Central to McIntosh's art practice is a desire to make visible the unseen, to illuminate the beauty and complexity of microscopic life often overlooked. Also at the core of her work is a deep-seated environmental awareness. Although she does not explicitly position her art within a scientific context, it is through this lens of exploration and discovery that science subtly informs her work.

She draws inspiration from early explorers of the microscopic world, like Ernst Haeckel, and contemplates theories of wonder and enchantment from authors such as Philip Fisher and Katherine May. McIntosh’s research manifests itself in a collection of tangible sculptures and wall works that encourage prolonged and thoughtful engagement. These works showcase her thoughtful creative process and a very deliberate choice of material.

McIntosh is drawn to wool's tactility and comforting familiarity. By creating forms that are simultaneously inviting and subtly deceptive, she sparks curiosity, and explains that this playful ambiguity is intentional, serving as a key to unlocking the underlying themes within her practice. Whilst visiting the artist’s studio, my own curiosity was satiated when I was told I could touch these woollen wonders.

The meticulous and labour-intensive process of needle felting reflects a deep dedication to McIntosh’s chosen themes. The repetitive stabbing action, transforms loose fibres into complex forms, a meditative process that makes visible the passage of time and the artist's focused care. This commitment mirrors the very patience required to truly appreciate the natural world.

The choice of undyed wool is no accident – It speaks to notions of hidden worlds and invisible nature, urging us to look deeper, beyond the surface. The reliance on shadow to delineate form requires us to patiently focus, creating a meditative experience akin to stargazing. The occasional addition of glass disrupts the forms texture and injects an element of surprise, it’s glistening catches the eye, a glimpse of magic drawing you in like a moth to a flame.

By transforming humble wool fibre through the devoted, ritualistic process of needle felting, McIntosh imbues her creations with a sense of intimacy and wonder. These are more than mere sculptures; they are enchanted ecosystems, miniature realms brimming with the promise of rekindled connection. In a quiet form of activism, McIntosh's work subtly plants seeds of contemplation, presenting ambiguous forms that, according to the artist, are meant to resemble "nothing and everything," thereby serving as a catalyst for rediscovery – a journey that begins with a heightened sense of wonder and culminates in a renewed appreciation for the natural world.

OAKEY

oakeyartist.com

April 2025