Main Areas of Focus

My interests are wide-ranging, primarily in how human beings affect and are affected by the natural world of which we are part, and the related theology and psychology of connectedness.

Artist

Creating beautiful and thought-provoking art as a means of supporting care for planet and people, nurturing a sense of place, and building community

Writer

Articles and blogs on economics, environment, nature, attentiveness, applied theology, arts, and anything that interests me

Consultant

» Website development and training
» Energy efficiency and renewable energy consultancy
» Research and reporting

Latest News and Produce

What I’ve recently produced. What I’m working on. What’s in the pipeline.

News

Notes to self

Poetry is an exercise in patience.

Blog

National Poetry Day

Writing haiku, inspired by the natural world around (and perhaps inside) Exeter Cathedral.

Published Writing

The Depth and Breadth of Kith and Kin

What if we were to listen to our home with the ears of our heart, with the proprioception of our soul? To open ourselves up to a relationship with a particular place.

Academia

“Living the questions” again in 2023/24

Teaching on the Medical Humanities Special Studies Unit at Exeter Medical School, introducing fourth year students to conceptual and environmental art; looking at meaning-making and how we turn ideas into art; making art.

Performance/Event

“Think chair” poetry reading

A reading of "Think chair" and other poems more or less related to items of furniture

Exhibition/Installation

"Think chair" for "Get On Board 39"

When I responded to an invitation to 'think chair', Studio 36 published it.

Recording

"...and the Greatest of these is Love"

In their second album, Antiphon presents world premiere recordings of three choral works by Michael Walsh: an unaccompanied Mass of the Holy Trinity; a full-scale Requiem Mass; and The Way of Love, a setting of five love poems by Rupert Brooke. We recorded it in July 2017 in the crossing and Lady Chapel in Exeter Cathedral.

Talk/Workshop

Prayer and Bible reading groups

As part of starting a new blog devoted to prayer and spiritual life, I have moved over the material on related workshops and group work.

Random Work Generator

There are a number of threads running through all my work. Here’s a random sample from each.

Attentiveness

A hymn to bees

Clare Bryden. A hymn to bees. Third Way Magazine, March 2016.
As the first shoots and blooms appear, Clare Bryden welcomes the returning buzz of bees, and takes a year-round look at the complex threats to these and other pollinators so necessary to the interconnected web of creation.

Environment

"Green|Blue" to show at Dartington Hall

Last week, I received the good news that "Green|Blue" has been selected for showing in the Garden Room Gallery at Dartington Hall. Today I got confirmation that the dates will be 30 March - 18 April 2017.

Making

"One Fish, Two Fish, RGB Fish"

I created "One Fish, Two Fish, RGB Fish" in response to an invitation from Wool on the Exe and Theatre Alibi to participate in a community project benefiting Knit for Peace.

Place

Story of "Free Art Friday Exeter"

Free Art Friday is a worldwide movement that has existed for many years. I started Free Art Friday Exeter in July 2015, and collaborate with other artists in leaving pieces in public places to be discovered and taken for free.

Play

"Ceci n'est pas une neep" by Meg Reet

I should have been mowing the lawn, but instead I created my entry for the 2017 Turnip Prize. Early viewers of the work immediately grasped the referencing of Magritte and its significance, which prompted a vibrant cultural debate.

Public Engagement

"Green|Blue" featured in the Church Times round-up of Greenbelt

The Church Times editor was kind enough to pop round... and not once but twice, as I was still setting up the first occasion. So I thought it was quite likely I'd be in the review, but it was still nice to see my name in there.

Science and Data

"Particulart: Up in the Air" pop-up at Relight My Fire

"Up in the Air" popped up for a second time at the Relight My Fire festival of energy and the arts run by RegenSW. Indoors this time, and slimmed down without roof or games area. It just about fit in the space.

Social Justice

Letter to Hugo Swire MP

How is it that in a country as wealthy as the UK, more than 500,000 people are reliant on food parcels? Please represent your constituents, and do something to address food poverty, injustice and inequality.