Nature Unseen by Margy OBrien

Creating Nature Unseen was a ritual of collecting – paying attention to what I pay attention to. So much of nature is overlooked by multitaskers with earbuds and cell phones. I enjoy seeking out the unseen, moving through this world with my senses alert for the unnoticed. Choosing a found treasure and using it in an artist’s book, a mandala, or sculptural display, I am making it an object of reverence – like an artifact in a reliquary or shrine.
This artwork includes five offerings in folded and sealed translucent paper tamper resistant envelopes – the practice of letter-locking. In a world of instant gratification, this book celebrates nature’s mysteries and the Zen of not-knowing – meeting life without preconceived interpretations or judgements. The viewer can handle the semi-transparent enclosures, wondering about the mysteries within, just like we want to connect with something true in these times of uncertainty.