Portrait series of Matilya in her allotment in Headingley, Leeds
Matilya invited me down to her allotment and we talked about her practice as a horticulturalist, workshop facilitator and community gardener. We managed to capture a series of photos as she harvested some of the plants she had grown.
“Being a gardener is not a job I take lightly and my relationship with plants and the land is a very intimate one. The plants feel like both my teachers and friends and it feels like such an honour to share that with people through my work. Witnessing plants in all their states, seeing something go from seed to flower to root to something I can eat is magical and I feel very connected to both my heritage and my environment when doing so.”
“I particularly loved growing this big beautiful kale plant - it’s perennial and is similar to a variety grown back in Kenya which is where my roots are. I feel like I’m doing my family and ancestors proud when using it to make Kenyan dishes!
Working on the land reminds me that my community takes both human and non-human forms and that’s something I’m truly grateful for.”
