Artist Statement
Art as experience Conceptual Art
I am nature and nature is me
Artist statement from Nancy Forrester
I take part in mankind's oldest form of o environmental conservation the preservation
of sacred sites on earth. As guardian of one such site for 42 years I am honored to be
connected to a place known as Nancy Forresters Secret Garden a descriptive
term used by Dennis Reeves Cooper editor of Key West the Newspaper. This landmark
exists at the center of the original island close to the highest elevation. It is an oasis of
fecund earth that stirs deep connection with our wild energy. Here the soil spirals down
to meet the underground river of Miami’s aquifer which flows towards the sea cutting
viaducts in ancient oolite. Spiritual experiences are born out of the terrain itself. Human
culture hallows the ground where ashes mingle with detritus. Genius Magic Ray says
“ the solution hole is the beginning of the Bermuda Triangle and Nancy is the keeper
of knowledge”. It is the animate and inanimate spirit of the place that casts the spell of
the sensuous. It draws people from far and wide.to Key West.
Artists, naturalists and wildlife feel the uninterrupted magnetic emery from Earths core and
understand the interconnections.
In 1993 I began a Visionary Environment project using many artistic disciplines
site specific art.
Installation with plants, performance to encouraging emotive outpouring for the loss of
the natural world. The fusion of art and life sustainable art and eco-conceptual art.
I invited this community, the visiting public and the world to co-create to save this story and place
This collaborative has been described in colorful ways “Jurassic Park sans dinosaurs” said
Mark Caputo or as Steven Steens once said an “Oasis of Sanity”. Vegetation and
ownership sec-session will come and go as it has in the past but Nancy Forrester’s
Secret Garden will never be for sale because it is conceptual art that thrives in fertile minds.
It is a garden of revelation. Jerry Kemler pointed out the statement above does not
acknowledge the loss of the physical landmark, being walled out and losing access to this
healing land is extremely painful to me and others. I deeply appreciate all others and non
human for their efforts to keep this land undeveloped and open to the public. I thank
Leon Russel for the lyrics “I love you in a place where there is no space or time, it helps me
now when I cry and ”I am not alone now because I am sing this song to you”
I have surrounded myself with all my visual art books, tools of the trade and people
and plants and animal that give meaning to my life
Candace Whitaker says “Don’t forget Nature Bats Last”
As an artist and environment teacher interested in bio mimicker y or innovation inspired
by nature and the spell of the sensuous, I continue to live, work and crate sanctuary for
unwanted parrots and orchids at 518 Elizabeth Gallery and Garden. Visitors entrance will
remain open at 1 Free School Lane through March 31 and reopen at 518 Elizabeth Street
on April 1, 2012
I take part in mankind's oldest form of o environmental conservation the preservation
of sacred sites on earth. As guardian of one such site for 42 years I am honored to be
connected to a place known as Nancy Forresters Secret Garden a descriptive
term used by Dennis Reeves Cooper editor of Key West the Newspaper. This landmark
exists at the center of the original island close to the highest elevation. It is an oasis of
fecund earth that stirs deep connection with our wild energy. Here the soil spirals down
to meet the underground river of Miami’s aquifer which flows towards the sea cutting
viaducts in ancient oolite. Spiritual experiences are born out of the terrain itself. Human
culture hallows the ground where ashes mingle with detritus. Genius Magic Ray says
“ the solution hole is the beginning of the Bermuda Triangle and Nancy is the keeper
of knowledge”. It is the animate and inanimate spirit of the place that casts the spell of
the sensuous. It draws people from far and wide.to Key West.
Artists, naturalists and wildlife feel the uninterrupted magnetic emery from Earths core and
understand the interconnections.
In 1993 I began a Visionary Environment project using many artistic disciplines
site specific art.
Installation with plants, performance to encouraging emotive outpouring for the loss of
the natural world. The fusion of art and life sustainable art and eco-conceptual art.
I invited this community, the visiting public and the world to co-create to save this story and place
This collaborative has been described in colorful ways “Jurassic Park sans dinosaurs” said
Mark Caputo or as Steven Steens once said an “Oasis of Sanity”. Vegetation and
ownership sec-session will come and go as it has in the past but Nancy Forrester’s
Secret Garden will never be for sale because it is conceptual art that thrives in fertile minds.
It is a garden of revelation. Jerry Kemler pointed out the statement above does not
acknowledge the loss of the physical landmark, being walled out and losing access to this
healing land is extremely painful to me and others. I deeply appreciate all others and non
human for their efforts to keep this land undeveloped and open to the public. I thank
Leon Russel for the lyrics “I love you in a place where there is no space or time, it helps me
now when I cry and ”I am not alone now because I am sing this song to you”
I have surrounded myself with all my visual art books, tools of the trade and people
and plants and animal that give meaning to my life
Candace Whitaker says “Don’t forget Nature Bats Last”
As an artist and environment teacher interested in bio mimicker y or innovation inspired
by nature and the spell of the sensuous, I continue to live, work and crate sanctuary for
unwanted parrots and orchids at 518 Elizabeth Gallery and Garden. Visitors entrance will
remain open at 1 Free School Lane through March 31 and reopen at 518 Elizabeth Street
on April 1, 2012
