For the majority of B 4 Biodiversity's life, founder, Andrea Ku, has been an artist in disguise as a beekeeper, gardener and teacher working within the environmental sector. It is only during the 2020 Covid pandemic when her work had to change that it's been made clear the type of artistic role she has found herself in.
During this time, she has identified her creative practice as more of a facilitator role based on communication and delivery. This has been evidenced in the style and communication in teaching delivery both in the classroom and, more recently, online.
Making up bespoke resources as activty packs for over 50 families in Merseyside has been the practice basis for most of 2020. This propagation of her skills and experience shows through from the photographs, art work and creations that have shown online in this everlasting body of work carried on by others.
During this time, she has identified her creative practice as more of a facilitator role based on communication and delivery. This has been evidenced in the style and communication in teaching delivery both in the classroom and, more recently, online.
Making up bespoke resources as activty packs for over 50 families in Merseyside has been the practice basis for most of 2020. This propagation of her skills and experience shows through from the photographs, art work and creations that have shown online in this everlasting body of work carried on by others.
Previous and key work included her 2012 MA thesis, New Habits for New Habitats, a study on the value of urban gardens in Toxteth, L8 while developing a community garden with local people. The thesis has since been used as a community document for local people to learn about their environment and how to make small changes to their habits to create a healthy balance for both themselves and nature.
Images taken from the thesis include concept sketches, adapted maps, illustrations and infographs.
This piece of research was part of the Landscape Architecture course at Leeds University (now Leeds Beckett).
A PDF copy of the study can be available upon request.
Images taken from the thesis include concept sketches, adapted maps, illustrations and infographs.
This piece of research was part of the Landscape Architecture course at Leeds University (now Leeds Beckett).
A PDF copy of the study can be available upon request.
Andrea Ku with staff from Formby Library on the Beehives and Bookworms project, 2018.
Images by Joel Goodman (left) and Lancashire Life photographers (middle-right)
Images by Joel Goodman (left) and Lancashire Life photographers (middle-right)