Ciara Campbell 

Ciara Campbell makes art that examines environmental issues in a non-political way. Her project responds to a meditation practice called Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing which originated in Japan. This practice involves going into forested areas without distractions and using your senses to fully interact with your surroundings. Forest Bathing creates calming neuro-psychological effects through changes in the nervous system and studies have shown that it effectively reduces stress, anxiety and depression. Ciara explores these issues by creating sculptural installations using wood, wax and other natural materials. Many of her sculptural works use the imagery of physical immersion to evoke the sensation of losing the self within the natural world. She is particularly attentive to the sensory organs that are involved in touch, smell and taste. Her project offers a subtle reminder that connecting with nature is incredibly important in today's society.