Andy Goldsworthy’s Land Art Photography

Andy Goldsworthy is an environmental art photographer from Cheshire, United Kingdom, creating ephemeral sculptures in the landscape which he photographs subsequently.

Goldsworthy is best known for his outdoor sculptures made of natural materials, from snow and ice to leaves, grass, stones, clay, petals, and twigs. Inspired by the Land Art of Robert Smithson, Richard Long, and Walter de Maria, the artworks of Goldsworthy have a geometric elegance. The motives change in season and weather featuring arabesques of ice, beehive stone domes, or delicate leaf patterns on water. His idea is to photograph each artwork only once right after he creates it. Besides England and Scotland, the artist has worked at the North Pole, in Japan, the Australian Outback, in the U.S. and many other countries. Goldsworthy’s intention is to understand nature by directly participating in nature as intimately as he can. Since June 1st. his work is exhibited at the Haines Gallery in San Francisco and shows recent photographs, videos, and a 60-foot meandering sand snake installation.

All images © Andy Goldsworthy