During his residency at Artlink in October, Trond Ansten used the time to develop work that continues his exploration of the intersections between art, nature, and what he describes as “forgotten knowledge.” Working across sculpture, film, and performance, his practice draws on organic materials and processes, from woodcarving to seaweed cultivation, bringing together scientific enquiry, historical research, and elements of mysticism.
Ansten’s time at Artlink focused on how traditional practices can meet contemporary ecological thinking. Through research-led making, he explored themes of craft, land- and sea-based knowledge, and transformation, extending his ongoing interest in how materials carry memory and meaning. His approach reflects a commitment to experimentation, where organic processes and cultural histories shape both form and method.
Public dialogue was an important part of the residency. On 18 October, Ansten took part in a public conversation with environmental activist and critical heritage studies scholar Anjuli Grantham at Fort Dunree. Framed around the question, “What forgotten knowledge can show us the way forward?”, the discussion explored connections between memory, craft, and the living earth, and how these threads might help “weave a more regenerative future.”
