Eamon O'Kane’s ‘Greenhouse Archive’ is a long-term, immersive project that reflects over a decade of artistic inquiry into the history, decay, and regeneration of a derelict plant nursery outside Odense, where the artist has his home and studio. This body of work is both a personal exploration and a universal meditation on themes of nature, memory, and the passage of time.
The project originated from O'Kane’s deep engagement with the physical and historical remnants of the site. Once a thriving plant nursery, the space has been reclaimed by nature over the years, with glasshouses overtaken by creeping vegetation and broken structures revealing glimpses of their former purpose. O'Kane began documenting this transformation through drawing, painting, photography, and installation, creating a visual archive that captures the interplay between human intervention and the natural world.
‘Greenhouse Archive’ weaves together the site’s unique architectural and botanical heritage with broader concerns about ecological sustainability and cultural memory. O'Kane’s work often depicts the remnants of greenhouses, tools, and plant life, highlighting the textures and forms of decay while celebrating the resilience of nature as it reclaims its territory. This ongoing documentation transcends mere observation, transforming into a poetic and multilayered narrative about growth, entropy, and renewal.
The project also reflects O'Kane’s interest in modernist architecture and design. Echoing his broader artistic practice, *Greenhouse Archive* incorporates elements inspired by figures like Walter Gropius and Lina Bo Bardi, integrating their principles of functionality and harmony with the natural environment. His use of materials such as wood and plexiglass, often crafted into screens or structures, draws on these influences to evoke a sense of timelessness and transformation.
A hallmark of ‘Greenhouse Archive’ is its interactivity and adaptability. It has evolved into installations and exhibitions where audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the layered imagery of the derelict nursery—an evocative space between past and present. Through wall-sized paintings, intricate drawings, and sculptural works, O'Kane recreates the greenhouse’s delicate interplay of light, shadow, and time, offering viewers a sensory experience of the site’s ongoing metamorphosis.
Ultimately, ‘Greenhouse Archive’ serves as a poignant reflection on the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the natural world. By documenting and reinterpreting the derelict plant nursery over more than a decade, Eamon O'Kane transforms a site of abandonment into a powerful symbol of resilience and regeneration, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of the ecosystems we inhabit.
Skabet for Kunstnerisk Forskning og Relaterede Aktiviteter at the The Royal Danish Art Academy consists of four vitrines and is situated in the entrance to Peder Skrams Gade 2 accessible to the public. Here the research staff exhibits ongoing research for a period of three weeks during the school year. The aim is to display the research outside of our studios, offices and laboratories and share and discuss it in a straightforward manner.