Jake Lever

New work Autumn 2023

Recently I have become fascinated by the branching threads of fungus mycelium in organic soil and I have loved discovering the book ‘Entangled Life’ by Merlin Sheldrake.  Merlin Sheldrake is a biologist, writer, and speaker with a background in plant sciences.  A keen brewer and fermenter, he is fascinated by the relationships that arise between humans and more-than-human organisms. ‘Entangled Life’ is about fungi - most fungi live out of sight, yet make up a diverse kingdom of organisms that support and sustain nearly all living systems. ”Fungi throw our concepts of individuality and even intelligence into question. They can change our minds, heal our bodies, and even help us remediate environmental disaster.”  (Merlin Sheldrake’s website).

On local woodland walks I have hunted for mycelium, finding them fascinating and visually inspiring.

I have loved seeking out other fungi too - so beautiful in colour and form.

Back in the studio I have been developing a new body of work - drawings and mixed media pieces inspired by the fungi that I have been studying. 

”Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.