Regenerative Burn with Indigenous Fire Knowledge, 2019. Photograph by Alan McFetridge
Curatorial Statement by Jacqueline Ennis-Cole
Forests and Trees are our more-than-human relatives. We share fifty percent of our DNA with them. Trees breathe out (oxygen) the same element that we need to breathe into our lungs for our collective survival. Trees and forests remove carbon dioxide (or greenhouse gas) from our polluted atmosphere and then store that carbon in the soil, in their root systems, in the structure of their leaves and stems, and in the trunks of the tree. Forests and Woodlands are home to diverse species, and although we do not always dwell in these nourishing places, we still visit and pay our respects to these storehouses of vitality. Forests and Trees are places of refuge, places of escape, places to slow walk, and places to listen. All of the participating photographers/artists, located throughout the UK and Europe, have a unique visual stories to communicate. They have chosen to share their personal narratives through their unique visual grammars rooted in the ancient craft of storytelling. This community of photographers/artists all warmed to the invitation to present their ‘unframed’ work within a Hackney community gallery.
Trees have been a symbol of peace for thousands of years. Whilst this is true - at present there are at least 50 countries who are to some degree impacted by or involved in extreme war, high conflict, or turbulence. Trees offer us solace and an opportunity to reflect on our planetary condition.
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Benin
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Columbia
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ecuador
Ethiopia
Ghana
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Kenya
Lebanon
Libya
Madagascar
Mali
Mexico
Mozambique
Myanmar
Niger
Nigeria
Pakistan
Palestine
Peru
Philippines
Puerto Rico
Russia
South Africa
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
Venezuela
Yemen
Schedule for the group exhibition:
Exhibition Opens Monday 25 November to Sunday 8 December 2024; 12.00 to 16.00
Closing Social Event on Sunday 8 December 2024 between 12.00 to 16.00 including Wine,
Beer and Refreshments.
Venue: Hackney Gallery, 1 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton, E5 0NS
Artists:
Wendy Aldiss
Jesse Alexander
Heloise Bergman
Colin Buttimer
Peter Coles
Steve Ferrier
Joanna Furniss
Lucas Gabellini-Fava
Sam Laughlin
Frankie McAllister
Alan McFetridge
Gideon Mendel
Sabrina Merolla
Georgia Metaxas
Miharu Micha
Dawna Mueller
Lotte Scott
Armelle Skatulski
Sabes Sugunasabesan