Trees and the Sacred

Norwich Cathedral

28 April - 28 May 2022

PV 30 April 4-6pm

The Arborealists and invited artists mount an exhibition about trees and their sacred aspects throughout the culture from ancient to modern time.

‘Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life.’

Hermann Hesse

This exhibition will present new work by The Arborealists on the broad-brush theme of trees and sacred sites. It will aim to articulate the profound, spiritual essence of such sites, especially through the significance and emotive power of their trees. Indeed a tree can be the central element of a sacred place.

Subjects might include churchyards, often protected by ancient yews, or abbey ruins that pervade a magical sensibility. Artists might also be drawn to folklore, and historic environments that held an especial mystical importance for our ancestors. The exhibition will engender a sense of peace and well-being, as well perhaps of mystery, and encourage a desire for contemplation and connection to a higher plane.

Trees provide a wonderfully versatile subject for artists, not only in terms of the rich variety of form, texture and colour they provide, whether individually or collectively, but also through the wealth of association - myth, folklore, religious and symbolic significance, that they have come to embody over many centuries. In Britain, trees as a subject have inspired artists from Gainsborough and Constable through to the Pre-Raphaelites, the Neo-Romantics and the Ruralists. Piet Mondrian and Victor Pasmore used the tree as a device to turn abstract and Paul Nash famously stated that he loved and worshipped trees and believed they were people.

Each artist will represented by one work in order to enrich the visual impact of the group’s diversity of practice. The exhibition will include interpretive wall-texts and artists’ talks and related workshops will enhance the programme and engage the community.

Events:

Contemplative Drawing Workshop with Alex Egan 11 June at Barton Turf

Almost a mini retreat; walking, quietness, readings, drawing, painting and sitting with trees. Duration 2 hours all equipment provided £25.00.

For more information and to book a place please click here

Arborealists

Mary Anne Aytoun Ellis - Richard Bavin - Philippa Beale - John Blandy - Robert A. Brooks - Emma Buckmaster & Janet French - Claire Cansick - Stella Carr - Lara Cobden - Tim Craven - Annabel Cullen - Alex Egan - Paul Finn - Sarah Harding - Mike Holcroft - Natasha Lien - Fiona McIntyre - Paul Newman - Howard Phipps - Nahem Shoa - Lesley Slight - Kevin Tole - Jacqui Wedlake Hatton - David Wiseman

Guests

Steve Baker - Carolyn Blake - James Coleman - Gary Cook - Jane Courquin - Frank Creber - Graham Crowley - Mike Dodd - Ferha Farooqui - Alex Faulkner - Richard Gilbert - Deborah Goatley Birch - Elizabeth Hannaford - Michael Johnson - Ursula Leach - Charles McCarthy - Flora McLachlan - Ange Mullen Bryan - Melanie Rose - Angela Rumble - Frances Ryan - Melissa Scott Miller - Colin Self - Gigi Sudbury - Peter Ursem