Exhibition Statement:

Thoughts swirl. Blood pumps. Water flows. All of these elements circulate on mindful walks around the lakes and natural areas embedded within Madison. There are rhythms to both nature and exercise that calm the mind and body. Coming back to some of the same locations multiple times throughout the year and noticing the plants, animals, smells and sights that cycled through over time was a meditative practice that helped me take note of what stayed the same and what changed - both in the locations, but also within myself.

Circulation: Circuits + Cycles. Body + Nature invites viewers to experience the profound beauty of the natural world, while also reflecting on the subtle nuances of belonging and isolation.
The photos exhibited include images from 2020-2024 of four locations, photographed during each of the four seasons including: Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North, Lewis Nine Springs E-Way, Edna Taylor Conservation Park, and UW-Madison Arboretum.

About the Artist:

Liz Boyd considers herself a fledging artist and an amateur nature photographer. Much of the time her creative confidence lies more naturally within digital and print spaces in her professional pursuits. Liz’s passion for language and storytelling fuels her work as both a writer and a marketing specialist. Her enthusiasm for content creation and editing is rooted in a lifelong fascination with puzzles, word finds, and crosswords—activities that mirror the precision of language and insight held within written work.

Additionally, nature has been a constant presence in her life, especially growing up “out in the county” in the Midwest. She often experiences nature as an entity too vast to figure out. Therefore she utilizes photographer as a tool for deep connection and grounding whenever she is enveloped by the natural world.

As a biracial person, Liz often finds herself unique in the outdoor spaces she explores—frequently one of the few people of color on the trails. Her hikes and photography have allowed for more connections with other folks locally in Madison who hold similar identities. Through Liz’s lens, she captures the solitude and hopefulness of nature, conveying a personal narrative that subtly integrates her own experiences and identity.