Fragmented Forest Series

This series of work is representing the fragile state our forests and endangered temperate rainforests in Britain. Temperate Rainforests in particular once covered up to 20% of the country. Now they are only found in small fragmented pockets. My local forests and temperate rainforests on Dartmoor have been my source of inspiration where I have spent hours photographing and exploring these fragile, beautiful and truly unique little habitats looking at the tiny ecosystems within the forest. The organic shapes in my pieces resemble pocket pools, rocks or lichen (like lung wort, often known as the lungs of the forest). The works' colours, textures and forms are all reminiscent of the forest where foraged pigments, plants and materials are found near the site, with care taken to only take dead or fallen materials in very small numbers leaving the habitat undisturbed.

The 3D collagraph forms are built on different levels with the tactile quality of raw pigments, delicate handmade paper, experimental cyanotype, foraged dead plants and collage papers precariously placed into fragile organic forms. These delicate works are an imprint and trace of place, where the past and present interplay; allowing us room to contemplate the future fragile state of our planet and the delicate balance of life itself.

I am on a continuous journey to find non-toxic materials, using foraged and handmade pigments and papers where possible. Looking at the environmental impact we are having on our forests has made my intention to move towards a more sustainable way of working more important than ever before.