Title: Awakening 1 Technique: Art Board 20” by 24” Mediums: Hand-ground soils, wood ash and natural wood resin medium Year: 2021 Description: In spring the life-force awakens within the cool darkness of the soil and rises towards the light. Tightly coiled within the seed, the shoots strain upwards, whiles roots explore down into the earth. Painted solely with natural earth soils, collected by the artist from his garden and the surrounding villages and countryside in a rural part of Hong Kong, and hand-ground in his home-studio. An organic gardener for over 25 years, David combines his passion for soil, gardening and composting, with art. Using natural soils, art becomes a means to engage with soil from different perspectives and encourage both the artist and observers to heighten their awareness of the beauty and fragility of soils. Wood-resin from Japan is used as an ecological binder. Artist: David St Maur Sheil