New land
by Beth Wong
New Land presents a series of sketches and experiments created by Beth Wong during her artist residency at Nyengaerde, a historic manor in Dwingeloo. Over the course of four weeks, she immersed herself in the garden and the surrounding landscapes, drawing what she observed on walks and cycle rides through the vast fields and the National Park Dwingelderveld. These sketches were later coloured with inks and watercolours made from plants she collected or cultivated on site—such as pine cones, rose petals, currants, walnuts, and indigo—reviving traditional pigment practices while experimenting with their possibilities.
Rather than following strict logic or concept, Wong approached the work with openness and play, allowing the act of making to take its own course. New Land reflects this freedom, balancing attentive observation with imaginative association, and recalling the childhood sense of magic that arises from close encounters with nature.
The book design draws from postcard booklets of the 1920s–30s, echoing the themes of travel and collecting. Its layout recalls the act of sending notes and images to distant places. The design choice, together with the hand-drawn sketches, carries a sense of nostalgia that ties the form to the content.
