Cliona in the waves, Irish Sea, 2012

A new series of images by UK photographer Joss McKinley offers an escape from the bustle of modern life. Gathering Wool, which opens at the Foam Museum in Amsterdam later this week, is a celebration of daydreaming...

Cliona and the sea, South Africa, 2012

'Woolgathering' refers to the practice of collecting up the loose wool that catches in bushes and grassland where sheep have been grazing. Used figuratively, the phrase conveys the act of doing something aimlessly, or in a dreamlike state.

McKinley's series is full of dreamlike imagery – often achieved through the use of reflections – and includes still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and more abstract pieces.

Plaster child, Somerset, 2010

"My Gathering Wool is [about] finding reconnections between man, nature and time; portraying a stillness and quiet that I feel we are losing with our preoccupation with consumption and digital immediacy," says McKinley. "Some of these ‘still lifes' are documentary, whilst others are scenes seen through abstract windows where a reflection of reality has been created."

Plant with the sun, Ireland, 2010

Gathering Wool runs from August 31 to October 14 at Foam, Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Open daily 10am - 6pm, Thurs/Fri 10am - 9pm. More details on the show at foam.org. The series can also be seen at jossmckinley.com.

Sunset, Ireland, 2012