Sentinel Trees

Welcome to Sentinel Trees, an exhibition of miniature art works from 13 artists and 9 authors. 

We are excited and pleased to be part of the Urban Tree Festival 2020.https://urbantreefestival.org/

Artist: Alban Low and Jack Writer: Kim Reddick

Alban and Jack's artwork in a Hawthorn bonsai

Watchful 

Watchful Trees,

Guardian bark,

Holding humanity from its earliest years,

Sheltering them beneath its leaves.

The eyes of nature watched,

Ensuring our survival,

A parent holding a child in its embrace,

Minding our steps with her gaze.

But now the Eyes turn wide,

Are Exposed,

Broken,

Burned,

Fragmented.

We tear down her buttresses,

Blind her Eyes,

Repay her kindness with steel and fire,

And soon the guard shall end,

Of those Watchful Trees

About the Writer

Kim is a regular walker in Epping forest.

About the Artists

Alban Low is involved in many creative projects, these include album artwork, publishing chapbooks, making films, maps, conceptual exhibitions, live performance and good old drawing. He is artist-in-residence at the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education at Kingston University and St George's University of London. Low spends his evenings in the jazz clubs of London where he captures the exhilaration of live performances in his sketchbook. On Wednesday evenings he sketches the performers on the radio show A World in London at Resonance FM. During the 2020 Lockdown he made his first radio programme, The All Vinyl A to Z of Africa.

http://albanlow.com/

Jack is an artist collaborating with Alban for Sentinel Trees.

About the Bonsai

A good tree for bonsai due to its small leaves and vigorous response to pruning. This specimen is a large bonsai which has yet to produce flowers.

The Hawthorn is a small tree often used in hedging and has wicked thorns and bright red 'haws' (berries). It is also known as the May tree and has prolific, scented blossom in Spring. It is very hardy and often survives in remote and wild landscapes as well as city streets.

Artist: Bryan Benge Writer: Ed Arantus

Bryan's artwork in a Forsythia bonsai

When you wake up early out of habit
You look between the curtain at the night
You still dream of synthetic leaves
Streetlight thieves and foxes that move between
Shadows swimming in the light
When you close your eyes I hear you breathing
Electric sigh a dear friend inside the dark
You still dream of synthetic leaves
Microchip trees and screens that blink at me
Glow green before I hear the lark

About the Writer

Ed Arantus first published his work in the Censored Zine (July 2010) and has exhibited his work ever since at venues like the Contemporary Arts Research Unit in Oxford (2014). He has written for the last two #Unsettledgallery CollectConnect exhibitions, Small World Futures and Love Tokens & Bad Pennies.

http://edarantus.blogspot.co.uk/

About the Artist

Bryan is a founder member of Collect Connect and a member of the London Group.

http://www.thelondongroup.com/bryan-benge/

http://www.bryanbenge.co.uk/

About the Bonsai

This small bonsai was grown from a cutting from a Forsythia in my parents' garden. The super bright yellow flowers appear early and many of these small trees, native to Eastern Asia, can be found in British gardens. The tree is named after the Scottish botanist, William Forsyth. 

Birds such as sparrows seem to love Forsythia which can develop scruffy, dense, twig formations perfect for small birds.

Sentinel Trees

Welcome to Sentinel Trees, an exhibition of miniature art works from 13 artists and 9 authors. 

We are excited and pleased to be part of the Urban Tree Festival 2020.https://urbantreefestival.org/

Artist: Stella Tripp Writer: Nick Fox

Stella's art work and a 'root over rock' Rowan bonsai

Do not box me in.

Let me free to spread my branches.

Let them intertwine

With the boughs of other trees.

Let the blackbird sing

Amidst my leaves.

Let the woodpecker drum on my trunk.

Let my roots burrow

Amongst the worms,

Mingle with other roots,

Forming a meeting place

Deep in the earth.

Do not box me in.

Your imagination is vast enough

To set me free.

Let me spread through the evergreen forest

Of your imagination.

About the Writer

Nick is a librarian who lives near Crystal Palace. He enjoys exploring the local parks and woodlands and is a volunteer with the London Wildlife Trust.

About the Artist

'I live in Exeter – pretty close to my place of birth: Taunton in Somerset. But I travelled the long way round – living and studying in Israel, Portsmouth, London, and America along the way. I have made and exhibited art in all those places, as well as holding many exhibitions here in the south west. 

I work in a variety of media including painting, drawing, mixed-media constructions and ceramics. Since 2015 I have also been exploring collaborative performative practice, as a founding member of Preston Street Union (PSU) –  an Exeter-based affiliation of artists who generate new work and learning through social, collaborative processes.'

Stella sent Collect Connect a net to make into a cube art work

About the Bonsai

Stella's art work is placed with a Rowan bonsai which has recently been cut back hard to improve its shape and structure. The root over rock style suits the Rowan tree which grows in mountains and the tree is sometimes known as Mountain Ash. In folk lore the Rowan is the bane of witches. Its berries are much loved by birds, a great tree to plant in the garden to attract wildlife.

Artist: Dean Reddick Writer: Lucy Furlong

Dean's art work with a Trident Maple bonsai

Conker

From candelabras of petals in May, set

in heavy boughs that buzz and grow,

fan out over the road to Clonegal,

between farm and lane;

the end of Ballynastraw

                               Conceived by bees,

a-lightning scented candles with their pollen knees.

After the flowers, and sighs of summer

I will become what I am now; armoured treasure

ready to travel.

About the Writer

Writer, teacher and walking artist

Interview with 26 Characters

Bloomsbury Festival Poem October 2019

Radio 4:Women Who Walk

About the Artist

Dean is an artist and an art therapist. He frequently works with casting process and loves drawing trees.

https://deanreddick.blogspot.com/

About the Bonsai

The Trident Maple is native to Eastern China and Taiwan and is often grown as a street tree around the world. I have only had this little Trident Maple for a couple of years and I am still wondering what style of bonsai it will grow into. 

Sentinel Trees

Welcome to Sentinel Trees, an exhibition of miniature art works from 13 artists and 9 authors. 

We are excited and pleased to be part of the Urban Tree Festival 2020.https://urbantreefestival.org/

The title for our exhibition was discovered by Dean, Alban and Bryan during walks together where we noticed and admired the many varied trees found in parks, woods, streets and gardens. We came to see these trees as Sentinels, guarding and sheltering, standing silently for centuries as our busy lives rush along.

Recently here at Collect Connect we have exhibited in the 'Unsettled Gallery': the name we give to any impromptu,  non commercial space that we place art in. Due to the current restrictions and in keeping with the Urban Tree Festival we have moved Sentinel Trees to an online only exhibition. 

Each day of the Festival we are going to exhibit images of art works in a bonsai tree alongside writing inspired by the art pieces. The bonsai trees stand in for the street and park trees we had originally planned to use as venues for the exhibition. 

Thank you to our writers and artists and to the folk at the Urban Tree Festival for inviting us to take part.

Artist: Ali Reader Writer: El Rhodes

Ali's art work and an Ash tree bonsai

Ghost Trees Standing

The road north went past bungalows and spread-out homes. Pebble dash, cladding, painted concrete facings, and low walls. There weren’t so many trees at this end except for the thin stand of silver birch, white and skeletal, all stretched sinew and bleached out bone. They loomed tall and unexpected throughout my childhood. Watching over us. Whispering amongst themselves. Guardians amidst the brick and asphalt, a hollow way through.

Sometime, though, visiting my dad, the trees had all been felled, and he was surprised he couldn’t remember when. Some landmarks do that. So present in the memory they don’t need to be there to be cited still: left at the trees, or straight along past. Spirits of the wooden way, sentinel at the end of the road, a portal and a passageway.

Ghost trees standing. Whispering still.

About the Writer

E. E. Rhodes is an archaeologist and writer who lives in Cardiff, with 5000 books, a tolerant partner, and probably quite a few mice. Her work can be found in a number of anthologies, zines and journals. Connect with her on Twitter @electra_rhodes

About the Artist

Ali is an artist who was part of a successful campaign to save 81 mature Lime trees from being felled to make way for developments in the heart of Walthamstow London.

About the Bonsai

The Ash bonsai was collected from between cracks in paving slabs in my brother's front garden. It is not an easy bonsai choice due to its large leaves but it is fast growing and tough. Ash is the 'Tree of Life' from Norse myhtology. See if you can spot any ash trees near you; in spring look out for the matt-black spear shaped buds.

Artist: Melanie Honebone Writer: Ginny Reddick

Melanie's art work and a Hornbeam bonsai

Trinket Trunks

trinket trunks

weave glittering webs

into homespun  clouds

I stand

in garland shade

and breathe

just breathe

About the Writer

Ginny Reddick is 47 years old. She lives in Walthamstow with her lovely family and their dog.

About the Artist

Melanie Honebone is a Wales-based fine artist and social care worker. She often works with mixed media and photography. Recent works have evolved her practice to include three dimensional mixed media art forms based on dolls, machines, and the human form. During lockdown this has evolved into examining the natural world in more detail due to the back garden being THE place to be seen in 2020     https://melaniehonebone.wordpress.com

About the Bonsai

This Hornbeam was grown from nursery stock. It makes a good bonsai choice for the UK but dislikes London's hard tap water so needs rinsing out with rainwater whenever possible, otherwise salts build up in the soil and turn the leaves brown

There are many old, beautifully twisted and contorted Hornbeams in the Walthamstow end of Epping Forest.

Coming Soon - Sentinel Trees

Art of Caring Online exhibition in May 2020

Dear artists,
We hope you are all safe and well wherever you are in the world today.
Thank you for submitting your artwork to the Art of Caring exhibition, and supporting Nurses and Carers through your creative endeavours.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic St George's Hospital have asked us to postpone the postcard exhibition. They are very keen and supportive of the exhibition and have asked us to put it up at the earliest opportunity once the current crisis is over.
The postcards are currently being printed so we are ready for when this happens.
The staff at the School of Nursing at Kingston University are currently choosing the poster image for the exhibition. They pass on their thanks to you all.
The curatorial team at St Pancras Hospital are delighted with your contributions too. They will make a decision about the second Art of Caring exhibition when things become a little clearer. Thank you to everyone who filled out the form for this exhibition.

To help support the incredible work our Nurses and Carers are doing at this difficult time we will be running an online exhibition during May 2020.
Each day during May we will be featuring the work of 4 artists on our blog/website. www.artofcaring.org.uk 
Don't forget it is International Nurses Day on the 12th May 2020.
Alban, Bryan, Dean and the St George's Hospital staff will choose one artwork per person.
The scheduled date of when your artwork will be shown online is below.

To accompany your image there will be a short biography about you, a link to your website (if you have one) and a statement or quote that is personal to you. This statement/quote might be something about how Nurses or Carers have helped you or your family during your life, or it might reflect what is currently happening during the Coronavirus pandemic.

If you would like to contribute this information yourself then send Alban this information before midnight on 26th April.
1) A short biography about you as an artist 
2) Your website
3) A statement/quote about the role of Nurses/Carers in your life
Email either Alban's personal email address or collectconnect4@gmail.com
Please be patient, we will be working with all 124 artists so it will be very busy. We also have family to look after, which means we won't always be able to respond to every email. Be kind to us, thank you.

Finally. Once the postcards have had their final finish here we will be able to send them out to you.
If you would like to receive them then send us your street address in an email.

Thank you once again for getting involved and please stay safe,
Alban (Dean and Bryan)
www.collectconnect.co.uk

Art of Caring Online exhibition 2020
Aaron J Little 20/05/2020
Aasiri Wickremage 15/05/2020
Adam Drouet 07/05/2020
Alan Carlyon Smith 31/05/2020
Alban Low 25/05/2020
Alexandre Santacruz 21/05/2020
Ally Zlatar 20/05/2020
Amanda Van Der Zant 07/05/2020
Amna Walayat 28/05/2020
Ana Miljkovac 26/05/2020
Ann Froggatt 28/05/2020
Ann Kopka 10/05/2020
Anna Bulgakova 18/05/2020
Anna O'Doherty 05/05/2020
Aran Illingworth 20/05/2020
Ayşegül Altunok 19/05/2020
B a r b a r a   Schneider 23/05/2020
Beatrice Bromley 09/05/2020
Beth Barlow 11/05/2020
Bryan Benge 08/05/2020
Carole Loeffler 28/05/2020
Catherine Jack 15/05/2020
Catriona Smith 25/05/2020
Charlotte W Stubbs 08/05/2020
Chiara Cavarzan 29/05/2020
Chloe Ann Munday 12/05/2020
Chloe Laurence and Tom Francome 24/05/2020
Chris Brown 30/05/2020
Chris Holley 27/05/2020
CJ Crosland 18/05/2020
Clare Owen 27/05/2020
Collette Costello 14/05/2020
Corinne Perry 06/05/2020
Cotidad 28/05/2020
Dacc e Dukjan 12/05/2020
Daniel Zlota 05/05/2020
Daniele Bongiovanni 02/05/2020
Danny Mooney 19/05/2020
David Robinson 26/05/2020
Dean Reddick 21/05/2020
Durre Sameen 23/05/2020
Emily Naine 27/05/2020
Gabriella Ranito 04/05/2020
George Mavrikos 18/05/2020
Gerrard Lindley 01/05/2020
GIDEON CONN 30/05/2020
Giovanna Iorio 14/05/2020
Grant Radford & Zoe Maslen. Accent 16/05/2020
Hamish Young 30/05/2020
Hannah Lehane 01/05/2020
Helen Grundy 02/05/2020
Helen Roeten 13/05/2020
Helen Tate 17/05/2020
Henry Kenyon 29/05/2020
Jade Atkinson 02/05/2020
Jane Walker 26/05/2020
Janet Stafford 09/05/2020
Jean Mooney 19/05/2020
Jeff Hunter 25/05/2020
Jennifer Weston 10/05/2020
Jenny Meehan 06/05/2020
Jina Wallwork 01/05/2020
Jon Halls 05/05/2020
Julie Bennett 04/05/2020
Jura Brian Joyce 17/05/2020
Karen Winship 12/05/2020
Kath Lovett 07/05/2020
Katie Frost 22/05/2020
Katy Sayers 21/05/2020
Klaus Pinter 07/05/2020
Laura Atkinson 02/05/2020
Laura Parker 04/05/2020
Laura Scull 14/05/2020
Laurence Morgan 10/05/2020
Lieske Weenink 03/05/2020
Lily Mooney 31/05/2020
Lotta Barlach 27/05/2020
Louisa Pankhurst Johnson 15/05/2020
Lucy Clayton 20/05/2020
Lucy Oates 24/05/2020
Lydia Fernandez-Arias 08/05/2020
Mahlia Amatina 13/05/2020
Maria Lezon 08/05/2020
Marina Medef 23/05/2020
Marius Els 12/05/2020
Mark Carr 03/05/2020
Martin Hill 26/05/2020
Martina Scott 04/05/2020
Mary Conway 24/05/2020
Melanie Honebone 06/05/2020
Mia-Jane Harris 29/05/2020
Misty Athena Stokes 11/05/2020
Monique Martin 03/05/2020
Nadia Uppal 31/05/2020
Nicholas Sweet 14/05/2020
Nicky Chubb 18/05/2020
Nicole Lyster 05/05/2020
Paul March 11/05/2020
Paula De Sousa 15/05/2020
Poppy Field 24/05/2020
Rachael Murray - Created by family carers in Suffolk 17/05/2020
Rakhee Shah 05/05/2020
Raul Moya Mula 16/05/2020
Rebecca Sainsot-Reynolds 22/05/2020
Richard Young 06/05/2020
Ryoko Minamitani 19/05/2020
Sam M Harley 25/05/2020
Sara Jayne Harris 11/05/2020
Sarah Foque 16/05/2020
SEAN WORRALL 03/05/2020
Shannon Amey 22/05/2020
Simon Richardson 29/05/2020
Sonia Ben Achoura 23/05/2020
Stella Tripp 09/05/2020
Sue Thompson 16/05/2020
Susan Plover 30/05/2020
Teri Anderson 22/05/2020
Tracy Ferriss 31/05/2020
Trevor Coopersmith 10/05/2020
Vaiva Kovieraitė 21/05/2020
William Stok 17/05/2020
Yvonne Vignes 13/05/2020
Zelga Miller 09/05/2020
Zoe Douglas-Cain 13/05/2020

Art of Caring 2020 - Update

During the next few days we will be contacting artists about our plans for the Art of Caring exhibition 2020. Please be patient with us and keep an eye out for an email.

It looks like we will be running an online exhibition during May to help support International Nurses Day on the 12th May. We will be featuring different artists and their artwork each day on our website/blogs/facebook etc. St George's Hospital are very keen to exhibit the physical postcard show so we are going to prepare this as we normally do. When the hospital is open to visitors once again we will be placing the artwork on the walls.

Thank you for your support of Nurses, Carers and the NHS.