Craft In America Season 8 Episode 2 Nature

Craft In America season 8 episode 2, titled "Nature," explores the relationship between artists and the natural world. The episode showcases a range of artists and their practices, examining how they harness and interpret the beauty, power, and complexity of nature.

The episode features ceramic artist Michelle Holzapfel, who creates intricate wood-burned vessels that are inspired by natural forms such as shells and seeds. She discusses the meditative process of working with wood and how it allows her to connect with nature on a deeper level.

We also meet jeweler Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, who incorporates organic materials like bones and horns into her intricate metalwork. Mimlitsch-Gray draws inspiration from the natural environment surrounding her studio in upstate New York, and discusses how her connection to the land informs her art.

The episode also takes us to the studio of glass artist Mary Whiteside, who creates stunning, large-scale glass sculptures that reflect the natural landscape. Whiteside discusses the transformative power of working with glass and how it allows her to capture the ephemeral qualities of light, water, and the natural world.

The episode also showcases the work of textile artist Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, whose vibrant and intricate pieces celebrate the natural beauty of her native California. Underwood discusses the importance of bringing attention to environmental issues through her work, and how she uses the language of textiles to express her connection to the land.

Finally, the episode explores the transcendent work of artist Spencer Finch, who creates installations that respond to the natural environment. Finch discusses his process of studying light and color in the landscape, and how he uses his art to explore the interplay between perception, memory, and the natural world.

Through these artists' stories, "Nature" showcases the richness and complexity of the relationship between artists and the natural world. The episode celebrates the beauty and power of nature, and explores how it inspires and informs artistic practice.