Contemporary Artist, Maker and Research Scientist

About Cornelia

I’m a non-binary and neurodivergent artist based in Penicuik, near Edinburgh in Scotland, working across painting and traditional fibre crafts, guided by a deep fascination with nature and our complex relationships to it. With a background in conservation genetics, my creative practice is informed by a scientific understanding of biodiversity and ecology—and a profound emotional connection to the natural world.

Much of my work is rooted in sustainability and slow, hands-on making. I spin yarn from local sheep, experiment with natural dyes, and knit pieces that honour traditional craft while exploring themes of care, time, and resilience. My painting practice often uses handmade, recycled paper and canvas, and I’m currently enjoying learning to create my own paints using natural pigments. These material choices are not just ecological—they're symbolic of regeneration, memory, and connection to place.

As someone who has struggled with mental health and finding my place in the world, nature has always been a source of restoration and belonging. My work reflects this dual role of the natural world—as both sanctuary and victim in the face of human impact. I explore how landscapes and ecosystems can offer healing, even as they bear the weight of environmental loss. This tension between refuge and fragility drives my art, forming a quiet dialogue about resilience, grief, and our intrinsic ties to the nature.

In both my paintings and fiber work, I’m drawn to processes that are slow, grounding, and connected to land and lineage. Whether through pigment, fibre, or texture, I try to make work that invites reflection, introspection and holds space for both the benefits nature brings and the threats it faces.