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Stuart Smith, who spent years revisiting the same rural locations across the region, has produced drawings and prints created entirely outdoors at various sites in the Chilterns and Hertfordshire.
The pieces, which include direct interaction with materials found on location, will be displayed at St Albans’ The Collective Gallery as part of an exhibition called Down to Earth.
The week-long exhibition, which runs from November 27 to December 3, reveals years of work created at familiar Hertfordshire sites.
Working directly on paper in the field, Stuart’s creative process always involves natural found elements – extracting pigments from Hertfordshire earth, making stains from plants growing wild in the Chilterns, and using locally found stones and flint as tools to scratch and mark surfaces.
He also incorporates mud and organic matter, and employs bark-rubbing techniques.
These site-specific materials often interact with traditional art media, including ink, pencil and paint.
Weather conditions, seasonal changes and the character of each location influence every piece, ensuring each work captures a unique moment in time at a recognisable place.
William Lapham, an American curator, said: “Stuart works on site in the English countryside, using locally found materials like moss, lichen, leaves, chalk, charcoal and earth.
“The use of these unconventional materials signifies a profound commitment and connection to his immediate environment.”
Down to Earth offers residents a chance to see familiar Hertfordshire and Chilterns landscapes reimagined through artistic methods that respect and protect the environment.
Stuart’s minimal intervention approach ensures his work has little impact on the sites many people know and cherish, addressing growing community concerns about conserving rural areas while creating genuinely original art.
Each piece’s link to specific local weather and seasonal moments makes the work unique, serving as cultural records of the regional landscape at different times.
This naturally enhances value for collectors and institutions dedicated to preserving Hertfordshire’s artistic heritage.
The exhibition runs for one week only, providing a rare opportunity to experience work that celebrates the distinctive character of the countryside through this unique collaborative process.
A private viewing will take place on Thursday, November 27, between 6pm and 8pm.
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