THE UNDERSTORY I
The emotional bond that exists between the woodland and our human psyche is undeniable; a place that is simultaneously associated with both refuge and peril. The impact the woodland has had on our culture and imaginations, and the way in which it, in turn, has shaped them to answer our needs.
‘The Understory’ are constructed images that challenge the deep-rooted preconceptions of landscape, memory and beauty. Landscape from its beginnings has meant a man-made artefact with associated cultural process values, it is a living link between what we were and what we have become. Ty Canol, Surrey and Wester Ross make up these constructed images, the ancient woodlands of Scotland, England and Wales. Sites rich in ancient oak, wildflowers and lichens. Woodland provides an important defence against climate change as well as providing resilience in affected ecosystems. The potential of woodlands to soak up CO2 from the atmosphere while providing a host of other benefits for society and biodiversity is becoming increasingly recognised. Forest destruction and habitat loss threatens our future, investing in sustainable forest restoration is integral to biodiversity. A recent report reveals that a fifth of England’s wildflower species are under threat.
Recognising the decline of these humble wildflowers is important. It is not what we see, but a way of seeing, ascribing value to the Woodland and the plants that grow beneath the canopy.
