The long-term project Arborea investigates Anthropocene entanglements using a combined scientific and artistic approach. The artwork is an aesthetic experiment that examines lichens from my local woodlands and reimagines them as an allegory for global environmental change.

In the UK, ancient woodlands have been disappearing for centuries and today, temperate rainforests account for less than 1% of land cover. Sadly, the UK is now one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. But fragments of our ancient, wild landscapes do still exist, and for the past few years, I’ve been gathering windfall lichens from these fragments on Exmoor.

Selected specimens are subsequently immersed in a chemical solution, until macroscopic crystals precipitate along their delicate forms. As a human agent of change, I introduce the primordial conditions required for transformation to occur. However, I’m unable to predict or control how the crystals will eventually grow. In this respect, my actions mimic the prevailing ecological and climatic crises; where human actions are influencing geological processes with unpredictable consequences.

The photographs act as a visual portal into an enigmatic and futuristic ecosystem strewn with vibrant, prismatic crystals; the physical manifestation of humans acting as a geological driving force on our planet. The overall goal of this project is to emphasise the importance of restoring and reconnecting ancient, wilder landscapes in order to boost biodiversity, improve community wellbeing and enhance our climate resilience.

A special publication of this artwork was commissioned by Somerset Art Works in 2024 for their ‘Landscape – Flux and Flow’ festival with funding from Arts Council England. These exhibitions were delivered in partnership with the Holnicote Estate (National Trust) and Somerset Libraries.

A temporary site-specific exhibition was installed in the temperate rainforest at Horner Wood, Exmoor from 16^th September to 11^th October 2024. Twelve large fabric prints (<240cm) were suspended along a 450m walking trail. In addition, six large photographic prints were exhibited in Minehead Library from 20^th September to 21^st October 2024. This exhibition was accompanied by three high-impact book displays designed to encourage visitors to learn about ecology, biodiversity and conservation. Four images from this series were shortlisted for Earth Photo 2024 and shown in the Forestry England national exhibition tour. Selected photographs have also been featured by The Guardian, The Times and New Scientist.