Intertwine

An artistic exploration of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Sweet Briar Marshes @ Artdepot NR3 Gallery, Norwich October 2026 with artists Natasha Day and Rachel Wright

In Harmony I and II

Sweet Briar Marshes stands as a rare Norfolk Wildlife Trust place - surrounded by urbanity and human activity, yet full of natural delights and green space to enjoy. The exhibition sought to comment on the interplay of humanity and nature.

My way to connect with Sweet Briar was to take part in some of the volunteer conservation sessions throughout the year. These sessions also were opportunities to gather natural materials which I made into paper, pigments and inks to produce all the work for the exhibition.

part of triptych

‘Sensitive to Change’

Lessons in Impatiens or Patience?

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens Glandulifera) is a beautiful plant and has many traditional medical and culinary uses in its native habitat, in the foothills of the Western Himalayas. (1)
Unfortunately, its introduction to the UK is a familiar example of humanity’s desire to acquire, and a mistaken belief that nature can be controlled. There was little, or no, thought of the long-term impact on the ‘other than human world’.

It was brought to this country in 1839 to serve as an ornamental plant in private estate gardens. However, its explosive method of seed dispersal - explosive pods sending up to 800 seeds out per plant that can reach up to 4m in distance - meant it soon became, and remains, an invasive species. It is featured in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, thus making it a legal offence to plant Himalayan balsam or in any way cause it to grow in the wild.

Its dangers consist in crowding out native plants and affecting biodiversity. It also makes water banks vulnerable, increases risks of flooding and can be a danger to human health.(2)

Many of these works include materials made from Himalayan balsam as a reminder of our need to curb the part of humanity that forgets, or ignores, behaviours that have far reaching and destructive consequences. But also, incorporating Himalayan balsam with other natural, native materials reflects the caring, patient and responsible human intervention that is occurring at Sweet Briar Marshes in order to produce a harmonious place that exists to benefit all.

1 https://www.ijpsjournal.com/article/A+Review+on+Himalayan+Balsam+Impatiens+Glandulifera

2 https://arbtech.co.uk/ecology-surveys/invasive-species/himalayan-balsam-survey/