THE Sou’ Sou’ West gallery at Symondsbury, Bridport, hosts Elemental, an exhibition of sculpture and installations by three environmental artists, from 19th October to 10th November.

The concept of the elemental is an ancient one, and this new exhibition is grounded in ideas and exchanges about the terrestrial and materiality. The elements – earth, water, air and fire – were identified millennia ago, but the “elementals” were defined by the 16th century Swiss alchemist and philosopher Paracelsus in four categories – gnomes, undines, sylphs, and salamanders. As identified by the Renaissance medical pioneer, each element contained a living protective spirit with an individual character and attributes.

In this beautiful and thought-provoking exhibition, environmental artists Fiona Campbell, Ally Matthews and Jan Alison Edwards respond to this concept. Using their deep sense of empathy for the planet, they address issues of humankind’s loss of connection to nature by evoking not only the ideology of the elements, but their essence of protectiveness and interdependence.

Modern science has shown us that interdependence is fundamental for the survival of life on earth. Each microcosm is dependent on each ecosystem, which in turn is reliant on the ecosystems of the universe. The basic elements, the framework of organic growth, are also a part of this interdependency.

There is a flow of energy, a continual cycle from the emergence of life in the primordial slime, a protoplasm from which all life originated. This creates an inherent connection, an invisible thread woven from nature’s own intrinsic force, binding all life on earth from its genesis into the 21st century.

In our so-called Age of the Anthropocene, the concept of the elemental may seem irrelevant. Yet with the threat of a sixth mass extinction, it can provide a powerful link and opportunity to re-establish humankind’s lost connections to the natural world.

“Surprising new connections have emerged from our mutual conversations and meet-ups. This has culminated in a rich cohesion of work, with different flavours,” says Fiona Campbell.

Alongside the exhibition, there are eco-sculpture workshops on Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd, and 9th-10th November, 10.30am to 3.30pm. For more information email janalisonedwards@nullgmail.com

Pictured: Stilt Structure 1, by Fiona Campbell; Lost Forest (detail), by Jan Alison Edwards.