I have always had a personal understanding that humans are no different to nature, but I still find a deep calling to question and understand in what way we connect with our home world. Many artists and activists like to draw examples from history or redirect the need to understand with fear-inducing revelations caused by humanity’s disconnect. I, too, could go down the scary route and mention how we are currently witnessing Earth’s declining viability due to the still present disregard for its finite resources. Or I could introduce Manchester-based artist Polly Bates, who not only acknowledges this dreadful scenario but channels it through a humorous and gentle approach. The latter, I feel, would be a better read.

Polly Bates uses an information-based approach to create bodily geological objects, with some mimicking or including human-like features to communicate what connections humans have with Earth on a biological level. Throughout Bates’ exploration, she has discovered that our bodies share minerals with the ecosystems that surround us. An example of this mineral relationship is that gallstones and kidney stones formed within the human body are composed of a mineral known as Calcium Carbonate, which helps to form sedimentary rocks, fossils and coral reefs.

Interview conducted and written up by A-J