Monmouth College alum John Carroll ‘07 brings together his love for nature and art in his newest exhibit, Visions of Nature – An Eco Art Exhibit. Nature has always been Carroll’s biggest inspiration for his art, which led him to creating this collection of cairns made from repurposed and natural materials.
Cairns are traditionally used as trail markers but hold a different meaning for this artist. Carroll sees them as “a way to mark a path or place in life”, whether that’s a physical location or as a symbol for someone you love. “Cairns have been a major part of my work ever since attending Monmouth,” he said. “Stacy Lotz inspired me to imitate the artist Andy Goldsworthy for a project, and I felt an instant connection after creating my own piece.”
“The forms I create are inspired from nature often resembling the foliage of a tree,” said Carroll. “The woods are where I gain a lot of my inspiration. By reusing almost all of the material, I feel that the pieces return to their original form.”
Each piece in the exhibit was carefully crafted from hexagonal courses; a shape Carroll describes as the “universal shape in life”. Some cairns were designed to feature elements of movement, while others highlight the use of negative space.
Carroll’s passion for sustainability is a key component throughout his work. “I enjoy repurposing the materials to show people that one person’s waste can be another’s income,” he said. “I also want to push people to upcycle their own materials and keep them out of the landfill.”
Visions of Nature will be on display in the Len G Everett Gallery in Hewes Library until October 24th. Everyone is invited to attend the closing reception on October 24th at 3 p.m. to meet the artist and learn more about his work.
