Hello Chelsart
Queen of the Seed Pods - we talked to local artist Chelsea Baker on Art, Inspiration & Co-creating with Nature.
Updated August 2023
Photography by Morgan Smith
It was a quote by Michelangelo (of the sculptor variety, not the ninja turtle) that immediately sprang to mind one evening when we joyously stumbled upon Hello Chelsart’s Instagram page.
When being praised for his then completed masterpiece 'David', Michelangelo is famously said to have rebutted “the beauty was always in there, all I had to do was set it free” - and in that one sentence, he so simplistically captures the essence of what it means, for many, to be an artist.
That for many, the role of an artist is one of seeing the extra-ordinary in the ordinary, of drawing inspiration from the world around them, and through expression and imagination, re-shaping, re-forming - bringing to life that which already was, in a way that hasn’t been seen before.
For Chelsea Baker, the artist behind Hello Chelsart, her role, as she sees it, is one of co-creating with nature; taking often discarded, disregarded and forgotten pieces of nature and transforming them into art.
Growing up in different parts of regional Queensland - Chelsea always had an interest in nature. Regularly moving for her parents work, her childhood was an immersion in outback environments, in regional galleries and in nature reserves, and from an early age she remembers having an interest in seed pods, and collecting them wherever she was.
"I remember being fascinated with them, like little pieces of treasure. When I think back, as a kid I just always collected pieces of nature, drawing on them, personalising them, turning them into toys".
It wasn't then, until later in life when her studies in media, design and architecture provided her with a deeper understanding of design principals in nature, that this fascination and love 're-blossomed' and the seed pod soon became her medium of choice. Now, from gumnuts to firewheel and banksia seed pods, she sees a canvas in every piece.
“I have become obsessed with their form and texture, especially the uniqueness and individuality from one pod to another,” Chelsea said. “I've collected as many different kinds as possible and am constantly amazed by the deviations: bumps, crevices, undulations, insect bore marks, waxy coatings, furry textures and sharp barbs. “I decided a long time ago to depart from a traditional canvas because I felt that an interpretation of nature should come from the medium itself.”
Under her motto, “co-creating with nature”, Chelsea draws inspiration from both the organic character of the seed pod and her own artistic vision, applying vibrant colours and shapes to contrast the pods’ earthen tones, "there's a juxtaposition and playfulness that takes place when I paint them", and to represent her perception of their journey and inner beauty beneath the pod wall.
“I want to create the illusion that the seed pod is still very much alive - a second bloom.
“Sometimes the most ordinary and overlooked items have the potential to have the most significant impact. It only takes rediscovery and re-imagination to unlock the potential."
For Chelsea, the process from collecting to painting is one that is long, meticulous and ruminative. “I spend (a lot of) time in choosing and harvesting certain pods (or sourcing them from sustainable harvesters), and it brings me joy when I find the 'one' that connects with me. From that point, I spend time reflecting on the distinct features present in the seed pod, and how this warrants a particular shape or choice of colours.”
"Ultimately my hopes is to encourage others in a love and care for nature. I would love to inspire others to see the beauty that comes from connecting with the discarded items they see when they go on a forest walk. The unlocked potential beauty of seed pods, as well as other living things in nature, can act as reminders of the importance of nature and humans' interaction on all levels. I hope that, in some way, my seedpods inspire others to take time to 'be' in the experience of nature. ”
"For any artists starting out, my advice would simply be to find your connection with you medium (whatever it may be), take time to reflect, and to enjoy the discovery of the process".
From her art Chelsea, has created a series of stunning prints, such as 'Envy' (bottom right) amongst others, all of which can be viewed on on her website.
Having already collaborated with fibre artist Sophie Honess to release limited edition wall hangings - in 2023, Chelsea is hosting several painting workshops in collaboration with The Lighthouse, a writers and arts center in the Toowoomba CBD and with Canteen Australia, a charity that supports young people impacted by cancer.
Chelsea will also hold a solo exhibition titled “The Secret Life of Seedpods” at The Write Gallery, which runs from 01 - 30 September, aptly coinciding with Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
To learn more, visit hellochels.art or follow @hello.chelsart on Facebook and Instagram.
