In a world grappling with identity and belonging, one artist's quest to reconnect with nature may hold the key. Ben Edge, a British folk renaissance leader, has been on a journey of self-discovery that spans art, activism, and spirituality.
For Edge, the answer lies in embracing the past – not as nostalgia but as a bridge to the future. His latest exhibition at London's Fitzrovia Chapel, "Children of Albion," is a sprawling masterpiece that weaves together fragments of British history, folklore, and mythology into a vibrant tapestry of the human experience.
The title itself, inspired by William Blake's Romantic era vision of Albion as a benevolent force, reflects Edge's commitment to redefining this term in modern times. In an age where nationalism has become increasingly divisive, he sees Albion as a symbol of unity and inclusivity – not just for Britain but for the world.
Edge's own personal journey began with a profound encounter at a druid ceremony in London ten years ago. As he watched the participants reseed the city streets, he felt an awakening sense of connection to nature that had been missing from his life. This epiphany marked the beginning of a decade-long exploration into the world of folk traditions and British folklore.
From wassailing and morris dancing to Stonehenge and Viking raids, Edge's art has sought to recapture the essence of this rich cultural heritage. And yet, in an era marked by climate emergency and social division, he argues that reconnecting with nature is not just a luxury but a necessity.
"Depression was my constant companion until I stumbled upon this world," Edge admits. "When you're lost from nature, everything feels off-kilter." But by embracing the cyclical rhythms of nature – birth, growth, decay, and rebirth – he found solace in the ancient customs that once brought communities together.
The lockdowns, which brought a jarring clarity to our relationship with the environment, have galvanized Edge's message. As people rediscovered their immediate landscapes and feelings of pride, they began to question everything about Britain and its role on the world stage.
Edge's art reflects this seismic shift in mindset. His vibrant canvases, teeming with refugees, Stonehenge, and Viking raids, offer a radical alternative to the fractured narratives that dominate our discourse today. By reclaiming and reinterpreting the past, he seeks to forge a new future – one that is inclusive, compassionate, and deeply connected to the natural world.
As his art takes shape in the Fitzrovia Chapel, Edge's words echo through the galleries like a call to arms: "There isn't a gallery that's going to come along and save you – you need to build your own art world." In an era where identity politics often seems to divide us more than unite us, his message is a potent reminder of the transformative power of creativity, community, and connection.
For Edge, the answer lies in embracing the past – not as nostalgia but as a bridge to the future. His latest exhibition at London's Fitzrovia Chapel, "Children of Albion," is a sprawling masterpiece that weaves together fragments of British history, folklore, and mythology into a vibrant tapestry of the human experience.
The title itself, inspired by William Blake's Romantic era vision of Albion as a benevolent force, reflects Edge's commitment to redefining this term in modern times. In an age where nationalism has become increasingly divisive, he sees Albion as a symbol of unity and inclusivity – not just for Britain but for the world.
Edge's own personal journey began with a profound encounter at a druid ceremony in London ten years ago. As he watched the participants reseed the city streets, he felt an awakening sense of connection to nature that had been missing from his life. This epiphany marked the beginning of a decade-long exploration into the world of folk traditions and British folklore.
From wassailing and morris dancing to Stonehenge and Viking raids, Edge's art has sought to recapture the essence of this rich cultural heritage. And yet, in an era marked by climate emergency and social division, he argues that reconnecting with nature is not just a luxury but a necessity.
"Depression was my constant companion until I stumbled upon this world," Edge admits. "When you're lost from nature, everything feels off-kilter." But by embracing the cyclical rhythms of nature – birth, growth, decay, and rebirth – he found solace in the ancient customs that once brought communities together.
The lockdowns, which brought a jarring clarity to our relationship with the environment, have galvanized Edge's message. As people rediscovered their immediate landscapes and feelings of pride, they began to question everything about Britain and its role on the world stage.
Edge's art reflects this seismic shift in mindset. His vibrant canvases, teeming with refugees, Stonehenge, and Viking raids, offer a radical alternative to the fractured narratives that dominate our discourse today. By reclaiming and reinterpreting the past, he seeks to forge a new future – one that is inclusive, compassionate, and deeply connected to the natural world.
As his art takes shape in the Fitzrovia Chapel, Edge's words echo through the galleries like a call to arms: "There isn't a gallery that's going to come along and save you – you need to build your own art world." In an era where identity politics often seems to divide us more than unite us, his message is a potent reminder of the transformative power of creativity, community, and connection.
. The way he weaves together different elements of history & nature to create this vibrant tapestry is really beautiful, like a big ol' hug for the world 
. Its awesome that his journey has led him to become an activist for reconnecting with nature, because honestly I think thats what were all missing – a sense of connection to the earth 
. The fact that his art is sparking conversations about climate emergency & social division shows how powerful creative expression can be in bringing ppl together 
EDGE'S ART IS LIKE A BIG OL' HUG FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR EACH OTHER! 
AND I LOVE HOW HE'S TRYING TO RECLAIM AND REINTERPRET THE PAST INSTEAD OF JUST STICKING TO THE STATUS QUO. IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET CREATIVE AND BUILD OUR OWN ART WORLD, LIKE EDGE SAYS! 
? Like, Ben Edge's whole vibe is "let's get all mystical and connect with nature" – sounds like some old-school hippie stuff to me 
, but at the same time, it feels like he's trying too hard to be inclusive and modern. Like, isn't just being British enough? 
Also, I'm not sure if I'd call his art a "masterpiece" – it sounds pretty eclectic to me 
And what's with all the climate emergency talk? It feels like he's trying to guilt-trip us into caring about nature instead of just being genuine about it 
Edge's journey sounds like every other dude who's just found themselves lost in nature, you know? It's all very cliché. And don't even get me started on the nationalism thing – I mean, what's next, a revival of the Union Jack as some sort of sacred symbol? 
. He's all about reconnecting with nature and stuff, which sounds pretty cool, I suppose. Like, who wouldn't want to feel more connected to the earth, right? It's not like we're literally destroying it or anything 
. He's weaving together all these different threads of British history and folklore into this beautiful tapestry that's really making me think about my own relationship with nature. I mean, have you ever watched a druid ceremony? It's actually pretty mesmerizing 
. Anyway, I'm definitely gonna check out his exhibition at the Fitzrovia Chapel now that I've heard about it 
I mean, think about it, when was the last time you spent some quality time outdoors just chillin' with no phone? 
For me, being in nature makes everything feel more balanced... my mind isn't all over the place like it used to be 
Maybe we need more conversations like that? Less divisions and more connections between us humans and the world around us 
his use of symbolism is genius, like wassailing and morris dancing - it's not just some hippie nonsense, it's a way to reclaim our shared history and find common ground with each other. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to see more Stonehenge in art 
just read about this artist Ben Edge who's trying to reconnect with nature... meanwhile, our planet is literally burning 
the climate emergency isn't exactly "seismic shift" though 
like, what about all the people suffering from droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels? 
, that it's easy to lose touch with what truly matters. His art and message of unity are a breath of fresh air 
. And I love how he emphasizes that it's not just about nostalgia, but about creating a better future for ourselves and others 
I mean, I think this guy's got some good points about reconnecting with nature, but I'm not sure I agree that Ben Edge is the right person to lead the charge. Like, have you seen his art? It's all over the place – wassailing and morris dancing, Stonehenge, Viking raids... it feels like he's just throwing a bunch of random British folklore bits together without any real cohesion.
. Edge's art is like a wake-up call to get us all thinking about our place in the world and how we can make things better.
!
. his exhibition at Fitzrovia Chapel sounds like a breath of fresh air – all that folk history and mythology woven together like a big ol' blanket 
. it's good to see someone using their platform to promote unity and inclusivity, especially when the world feels like it's falling apart