This series of short meditations on nature in art offers the opportunity to practice contemplation and observance. The task of observing or deep looking requires us to consider a broad context for cultural capital; to draw upon experience and cultural imagination when examining a work of art, listening to music, participating in discussion or taking a walk in nature. Visual thinking strategies focus our ability to organise and respond to visual imagery and the world around us. These small acts of reflection may provide a framework for us to be more creative and empathetic citizens and to look carefully at the nature that surrounds us.

We will take a close look at the way artists have represented the natural world in print culture and rare books from the university’s special collections.