Liz Lockyear is fascinated by our belief that we can take ownership of the land: 'We strive to shape the earth by cultivating, building shelters and taking its wealth, but in time most human endeavour is claimed back by the rightful owner. When left to itself, nature runs its course, erasing man's efforts through seeding, growth, erosion and decay.

'Artists move into Middle Rocombe Farm and they work together to clear overgrown areas, take their inspiration from what they find, coax and cajole the farm into an exhibition area. Their energy and creativity transforms the site for a moment in time.'

Liz's work forms an explicit part of this process, taking temporary ownership of the space and producing a series of pieces in a variety of media, inspired by her text, Come walk with me for awhile.

Liz trained in Fashion & Textiles and Fine Art, specialising in metal sculpture and embroidery. Her practice reflects this mixed background of large-scale sculpture and smaller, more intricately worked pieces. Choosing the most appropriate technique to render each new idea, Liz works in a variety of styles and media, including printmaking, watercolour, textiles, metal and recyled materials. Liz is also Chairperson of T.R.A.I.L. (www.trail.org.uk ).

'Come walk with me for awhile'
Look in every crevasse and under each stone, feel my red earth run through your fingers, discover my ancient past, lost secrets and dreams. Lie in my meadows, let me hold you while you gaze up at the sky, understand my sense of belonging to this place. Dangle your feet in my streams, let your heart beat fast as you climb to my summits. Feel the summer sun on your body as it warms us, allow my energy to pulse through you as life grows within me.
Enjoy the sumptuous abundance as my fruit ripens into the Autumn. Absorb my melancholy as this same fruit bursts, falls back to decay within me. Sympathise with my loss even though we know that the fallen bounty will renew my energy in the Spring.
Like me shiver at the first chill of winter, feel the cold, dampness of the nights seep into your bones, sapping your energy, leaving you dormant. Let our fears be brushed aside by the warmth of firelight. Chip the ice from your heart as the first pale rays of the winter sun melts away the frost.
Stay close to me a little longer, you have now entered my soul. Your creativity has shaped me but already I sense you leaving the embrace in which we are entwined. Other places are calling you away and your restlessness is palpable. Like many more before, you will leave, but part of you will stay as I am intrinsically changed.