The vibrancy of a petal. The shape of a leaf. The trace of an artist’s finger. How does nature feel? 

In Touch, with Nature documents the experiences of a group of Leeds women as they explored art and nature on campus.  

The group encountered artworks and objects that celebrate the natural world. Supported by textile artist Ranya Abdulateef, the women experimented with a range of techniques to produce their own responses. The exhibition features some of the objects they encountered along with collaborative artworks inspired by them.  

Sparked by an interest in artist Hubert Dalwood’s sculpture on the Public Art Trail, the group made a variety of relief surfaces. They pressed different clays with natural and manmade objects, capturing impressions and collecting snippets of their experiences. They then translated these through print to produce new work. 

In Touch, with Nature also celebrates the power of connecting with others. The women created a supportive space in which to encounter new things together, with openness and joy. We invite you to explore this space in the same way, in conversation with the group. How does nature feel to you? 

The exhibition is part of the University of Leeds Libraries Cultural Collections & Galleries Welcoming Migrants programme, run in partnership with Leeds Asylum Seeker Support Network (LASSN).