Collect 2023 Represented by Ruup & Form Home Series
Fleur explored the idea of “home” across species. From nests to oceans, home is a place of safety, connection and belonging. HOMEWARD captures a line of ants carrying petals, working in harmony to support their colony. The piece blends into its setting, with the nest appearing built into the wall.
SPINNING WHIRLIGIGS The pond, home to the whirligig beetle. Seen in groups gliding across the surface, creating mesmerizing ripples as they move. SPINNING WHIRLIGIGS captures their energy and grace.
Fleur Grenier
West Sussex, England
HOMEWARD, Roy NewnhamWhile revisiting her photos of a past trip working on a conservation project in Peru, Fleur was drawn to a particular image. The picture was of a line of leaf cutter ants, carrying cut off leaves and petals back to their nest and this picture became the inspiration for her current series of work ‘Home’. Fleur began exploring the word ‘home’ and what it means, not only to us as humans but also the many insects, mammals, fish and other creatures with which we share our planet. Fleur says, “Home gives us a feeling of belonging no matter whom or what we are, whether it is a nest, house, habitat or ocean. It is a place to feel safe, comfortable, connected or part of a community. A home provides space for an individual to shelter, sleep and eat in relative peace. For families, tribes or colonies it has the added opportunity to communicate and share knowledge. Whatever organism we may be, we should all have a place where we feel comfortable – we know this as home.” She reflected on the wildlife around her or that she had seen on travels, the leafcutter ants, honeybees busy in their hive, the shore crab resting in its rock pool and the whirligig beetles spinning in on the pond. By magnifying the scale of the literal interpretation, she wanted to invite the observer to look closer, reflect on the behaviour and contemplate what may be the essence of home to that organism. ‘Homeward’ is inspired by the line of ants marching back to their nest carrying brightly coloured petals and leaves as they fulfilled their task working in harmony, farming and collecting food to feed the rest of the colony. Fleur, “I found the moving dancing line of colour beautiful to watch as they crossed the rainforest floor returning to their nest.” Fleur wanted Homeward to become part of the home or space where it was positioned, with the leafcutter ants nest appearing to be constructed in the wall, creating an affinity between the sculpture and the space.