Many creatives would argue that you don’t need fancy equipment and materials to make art, and Wales-based Jon Foreman is a great example of that. He makes incredible land art using just stones, leaves, and other natural finds from his local beaches and forests.
“I think there’s a thing that’s set in everyone from school, that if you want to be good at art you have to be able to draw and paint,” says Foreman. “I don’t think that’s true at all. I think it’s just being creative that matters.” He adds, “There’s an endless array of ways to be creative.”
Seeking a break from the stresses of daily life, Foreman ventures outdoors to find natural materials and new spots to embellish with his art. From swirling stone formations to massive mandalas etched into the sand, each creation honors the land it occupies and reveals the extraordinary artistic possibilities of nature.
Each intricate installation requires careful planning and setup, but the meditative process allows Foreman to find a deep sense of calm. This tranquility extends to viewers as well; those who are lucky enough to see his work in person or view photos of his installations often find a similar sense of peace.
For one recent installation at Freshwater West beach, titled Convexum Fluxus, Foreman spent about six hours carefully arranging stones of different sizes on sand. The mesmerizing results created a hill-like effect, with larger stones in the center and smaller ones gradually spilling down into a gentle slope.
Foreman’s installations aren’t meant to last forever, though. They wash away with the rain, get swept away by waves, or gradually erode over time. But for the artist, this fleeting nature is part of his practice. He believes that “land art is a really pure form of letting go.”
Check out some of Foreman’s latest land art below and find more of his incredible installations on Instagram.