A Tale of Transformation: From Barren to Bountiful in the Badlands

In the heart of the Council Estate in South East London lies a corner, once deemed the ‘Badlands’ for its desolate appearance from weedkiller overuse. However, spurred by a shared vision of renewal, the community embarked on a journey to transform this neglected space into a flourishing haven for wildlife and people.

Fast forward four years, and the Badlands has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. What was once a barren expanse now teems with life, thanks to the concerted efforts of dedicated residents. Wildflowers sway gently in the breeze, while trees offer their bounty to both humans and wildlife alike.

Capturing the essence of this remarkable transformation is cyanotype artist Felicitas, who has chosen the Badlands as her latest muse. Her tapestry, spanning an impressive 2.2 meters by one meter, serves as a poignant commemoration of the community’s journey. Encapsulated within its intricate design are the 29 plants found and captured in the April 2024 sun, a testament to nature’s resilience and the community’s unwavering dedication.

As viewers gaze upon Felicitas’s piece, they are reminded of the Badlands’ transformation, the power of collective action and the beauty that can arise from even the most unlikely of places and plant species.

Printing Diary

Galium Triflorum / Bedstraw – 18th April 2024 – 10:30am
Urtica Dioica / Stinging Nettle – 18th April 2024 – 11:03am
Plantago Lanceolata / Ribwort Plantain – 18th April 2024 – 11:17
Galium Aparine / Cleavers – 18th April 2024 – 11:41am
Geranium Robertianum – Herb-Robert – 18th April 2024 – 12:13pm
Cymbaralia Muralis / Kenilworth Ivy – 25th April 2024 – 09:50am
Hedera Helix / Common Ivy – 25th April 2024 – 09:58am 
Rumex Obtusifolius / Bitter Dock – 25th April 2024 – 10:11am
Centaurea Nigra / Common Knapweed – 25th April 2024 – 10:23am
Sonchus Oleraceus / Common Sowthistle – 25th April 2024 – 10:43am
Leucanthemum Vulgare / Ox-Eye Daisy – 29th April 2024 – 09:53am
Taraxacum Officinale / Dandelion – 29th April 2024 – 10:02am
Primulaceae / Cowslip – 29th April 2024 – 10:14am
Rubus Fruticosus / Blackberry – 29th April 2024 – 10:24am
Ranunculus Acris / Meadow Buttercup – 29th April 2024 – 10:35am
Geum Urbanum / Wood Avens – 29th April 2024 – 10:51am
Ranunculus Acris / Meadow Buttercup – 29th April 2024 – 11:03am
Trifolium Pratense / Common Clover – 29th April 2024 – 11:30am
Cardamine Hirsuta – 29th April 2024 – 12:00pm
Phleum Pratense / Timothy – 29th April 2024 – 12:12pm
Vicia Sepium / Bush Vetch – 30th April 2024 – 10:05am
Asplenium Trichomanes / Maidenhair Spleenwort – 30th April 2024 – 10:27am
Claytonia Perfoliata / Winter Purslane – 30th April 2024 – 10:45am
Dryopteris / Wood Fern – 30th April 2024 – 10:56am
Euphorbia Helioscopia / Sun Splurge – 30th April 2024 – 11:07am
Sambucus Nigra / Elder Tree – 30th April 2024 – 12:08pm
Jacobaea Vulgaris / Stinking Willy – 30th April 2024 – 12:28pm
Symphythum Officinale / Common Comfrey – 30th April 2024 – 12:44pm
Spiney Plant / ?? – 30th April 2024 – 13:01pm