DRAWN TO NATURE

Using delicate woodland plants in place of paint or ink, Helen Ahpornsiri creates captivating natural artwork

Using delicate woodland plants in place of pen or ink, Helen Ahpornsiri creates captivating natural artwork

have always been fascinated by how ferns feature in folklore,” says artist Helen Ahpornsiri, adding a stem of broad buckler to the wicker basket resting in the crook of her arm. “My favourite is the story of the magic fern flower, which blooms once a year, on the eve of the solstice, and brings its finder a lifetime of luck and prosperity.” Making her way deeper into Abbot’s Wood in East Sussex, she searches the verges and undergrowth carefully for more flora to add to her collection. Although many of the trees are bare, besides a few furled leaves that hang from the branches like chrysalises, the plant that is the focus of Helen’s

interest is abundant for much of the year. “When I was a child, my mother grew ferns in our cottage garden,” she says. “There’s something about the fronds and how they split off. Whether I use them in a tiny picture or something much larger, they’re still instantly recognisable.” It’s these pictures that have led Helen to become increasingly well known; her pressed-flower artwork is so intricately detailed, it seems to bring to life its animal subjects – making them look ready to jump, fly or scurry off the page.

With the hours of sunlight dwindling, time in the woods must be spent wisely so Helen heads for damp, shady spots where ferns thrive. While some might consider this hardy perennial inferior to its prettier floral relatives, she is eager to champion its unusual beauty. “I love working with plants that go unnoticed,” she says. “Recently I’ve started experimenting with brambles. Although they’re really common, I find them quite evocative. Most people can relate to the sensation of thorny stalks snagging on their clothing and I like to create a sense of nostalgia in my art.”

Helen hasn’t always spent her time foraging in local woods and forests. After completing a degree in illustration at Falmouth School of Art, she moved to London where she worked as a designer

Helen gathers ferns in Abbot’s Wood. Her traditional flower press is reminiscent of the first one she had as a child – an old tie press that was a birthday present from her aunt. It sparked a lifelong interest and inspired her delicate artwork