Meadow art

© Julia Loken

Meadow art

Floodplain meadows are not just physical things, they were prized for their value and role - formed through and embodying cultural practices. They represent both tangible and intangible heritage.  As such artists have been drawn to the visual and audible drama of floodplains utilising media such as paint, glass, tapestry and even sheep’s wool to tell the story of what floodplain meadows mean to us historically and into the 21st century. 

Whilst it is important to develop an understanding of the challenges we face, we need to motivate people with positivity and hope by celebrating the benefits and resilience floodplain meadows can deliver. Using art and creativity can do this, sharing messages to inspire and trigger emotional responses that can bring about lasting change. 

Art can also convey messages that can help change views, inspiring awareness with policy makers of the value of, and threat to, floodplain meadows.

We have worked with local artists, community groups, schools and others to learn about the meadows and tell the stories through different creative methods. Find out more about how to get involved.

To find out more about the arts and crafts projects we have been involved in, visit our arts projects page.

In 2021 the FMP ran an arts and crafts competition inviting people to showcase how they react to the meadows - using the 12 finalists artwork to create a beautiful calendar in the carousel below.

Winners of our arts and crafts competition held in 2021

  • Painting by Alice Walker - copyright Alice Walker
    'A precious resource' by Alice Walker
  • 'Seasons song' by Clare Cornish - copyright Clare Cornish
    'Season's song' by Claire Cornish
  • 'Time Cycle Repeat' by Jeff Coles - copyright Jeff Coles
    'Time Cycle Repeat' by Jeff Coles
  • 'Long Mead Kaleidocycle' by Jill Colchester - copyright Jill Colchester
    'Long Mead Kaleidocycle' by Jill Colchester
  • 'Long Mead, late June' by Julia Loken - copyright Julia Loken
    'Long Mead, late June' by Julia Loken
  • 'A beautiful climate solution' by Lesley Cowley - copyright Lesley Cowley
    'A beautiful climate solution' by Lesley Cowley
  • The Floodplain Meadow Hikau - copyright Sarah Caulfield
    The Floodplain Meadow Hikau by Sarah Caulfield
  • 'River' by Lesley Cowley
    'River' by Lesley Cowley
  • Triptych by Matthias Harnisch
    Floodplain Meadow Triptych by Matthias Harnisch
  • Image of a poem by VIcky Bowskill - copyright Vicky Bowskill
    'Forever Meadow' by Vicky Bowskill
  • Photo of text with botanic illustration by Maria Sergeeva (copyright Maria Sergeeva)
    'Studying meadows in Latin by a botanist' - © Irina Tatarenko (text) & Maria Sergeeva (image)
  • 'Meadow Grasses' Niki Kent - copyright Niki Kent
    'Meadow Grasses' Niki Kent
  • 'Restoration' by Mark Oversby
    'Restoration, Walk No.7' by Mark Oversby