My current project is a series of collages focusing on trees and their surroundings. Over the past year I have photographed various trees in my community capturing the subtle changes to the trees throughout the cycle of seasons and its surroundings. Always in a state of flux; the tree a rooted witness to the life occurring around it. My photography is based on capturing real moments and documenting life.

After photographing varied moments of a tree in its surroundings, I then bring these images together to create a large-scale compilation of a particular tree in context; compressing time and space into a single artwork. Whilst the project began as a photographic contemplation of trees throughout the year, it has developed into a consideration of time itself—the cyclical nature of a tree and the different stages of life as people pass through the scene. The development of each collage feels like the creation of a poem. I observe and photograph the tree but I have no idea where the image will fit into the creation of the collage, how it will develop and where it will go. Each collage develops its own feel, in part from the people within the photographs, each individual at a different stage in their lives as they move around or interact with the tree.

My camera captures a ‘snapshot’ or moment in a person’s life as they go about their day in the park, woodland and other public places—a young boy doing a wheelie on his bicycle, children playing in the branches, an embracing couple, an older man learning to skateboard, volunteers cutting back over-growth and the somber wooden bench, with flowers, under the shade of a tree marking the passing of a young woman. London landmarks can be seen in some of the collages, such as Alexandra Palace, which has stood for 150 years and played an active role in both World Wars. The building anchors an ever-changing scene—aeroplanes speed across the sky, crows bound from tree to tree while a myriad of people navigate through the landscape: some strolling, or jogging, or smiling for family photos. All the while the treetops reflect the changing environment in a riot of colour: the raging orange of autumn, the debut of luscious green in the spring and brittle dryness of dead saplings, the victims of record-breaking summer heat. The trees revealing to us the state of the world.

The collages, ultimately, are a celebration and appreciation of life and nature. Trees have featured in art in many ways throughout history, my hope is to nurture the appreciation of them through my unique photographic collages.

Completed Collages

In Development