The collection of five bespoke tree prints entitled Heartwood, created from an approx. 90cm diameter disc of the trunk of the felled iconic Sycamore Gap tree, will go on public display collectively at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre from Friday 6 September.
Created by printmaker, Shona Branigan, known for her detailed and evocative tree prints, this will be the first time all five prints have been on display together, having previously been shown individually at four venues across the length of Hadrian’s Wall over the summer.
Open Monday – Saturday (10am – 12noon & 1 – 4pm), the exhibition will run until Saturday 19 October 2024 in Gallery One at Queen’s Hall. All five prints are individually themed, named and coloured, with the giant tree prints showing every tree ring, groove and detail from the cross-section of the almost heart shaped trunk of the tree. One print ‘Access’ has been embossed and invites touch, with the lines of the tree able to be felt.
Funded by North East Combined Authority and developed in collaboration with the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership and Historic England, Heartwood is the first official artistic response created in memory of the much-loved fallen Northumberland tree.
It was created following the unprecedented public response and outpouring of emotion to the tree’s felling last September. The organisations have together developed a programme of legacy work from the thousands of suggestions for ways in which to remember the historical landmark.
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, said: “The Sycamore Gap tree was adored by so many, and it is through their memories, words and pictures that it lives on today. We wanted to create opportunities for the public to further connect with the tree, building on its significance and its place in people’s hearts. Having all five prints come together at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre will be a wonderful opportunity for people to respond and engage with Shona’s exceptionally beautiful artworks that capture the very essence, the ‘heart’ of the treasured tree.”
Printmaker Shona Branigan worked from her studio in Grizedale Forest using traditional methods and materials to create the delicately detailed set of hand burnished relief prints from the precious disc of sycamore wood.
Each Heartwood print has unique depth, context and colourways, with names linked to the Sycamore Gap tree and its historic location. ‘Knowledge’ is gold ink; ‘Spirituality’ is blue, ultramarine ink, with iridescent electric blue, purple and hansa yellow watercolours; ‘Landscape’ is burnt umber ink with sap green and yellow ochre watercolour; ‘History’ is Venetian red ink and hansa yellow deep watercolour.
The fifth print, ‘Access’ is hand pressed onto heritage rag paper without ink in a process called Blind Embossing, presenting a tactile experience, inviting touch along the rings of the tree.
Shona Branigan said: "It is with wood printing specifically that my fascination with trees and their lives in the landscape is expressed. I felt privileged to be asked to print Sycamore Gap, and I also felt a responsibility to do my best so that I could honour not only the tree itself but all the people who loved the tree too. As a north easterner I have known Sycamore Gap all my life and visited regularly, the tree was such a haven in the wild landscape.
“The actual process of printing the Sycamore gap has been epic. It's a really big piece and a slow process due to it all being done by hand, first creating a printable surface from the rough wood, then applying traditional inks, before beginning the slow process of printing using a bone folder tool so that I can reach every nuance of the surface. The paper is laid on top and becomes embossed with the 3D shape of the wood and tree rings, which are the embodiment of the landscape in tree cellular form. It's taken several hours, and my muscles were definitely aching after the effort - but, now that the series of prints are complete, I am pleased and proud of my work. They’ve been so well received whilst on display over the summer, and I can’t wait for people to see them all together as a collection at Queen’s Hall."
Going on display at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, just a few miles from where the iconic tree once stood, will be an opportunity for people to view the five prints for free.
Katy Taylor, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, said: “We know how much the Sycamore Gap tree meant to so many people, from those in our own team here at Queen’s Hall and locally in Hexham, to people across the region and indeed across the world.
We are proud to be preparing to host all five of Shona’s prints as they come together for the first time, and invite everyone to visit the exhibition at Queen’s Hall if they can, to reconnect with the tree and to share their own memories."
