Mat Collishaw's 'Albion'

Trees in art

An unnerving yet magnetising projection of the infamous oak tree where, as legend claims, Robin Hood sought shelter in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham. Upon following its natural path of ageing and wither, steel structures were constructed during the Victorian era to offer artificial, upright support. The slight quiver in the live projection displays the tree’s ongoing plight to live and transform: yet forever constricted by human intervention obstructing its natural path. 

The beauty of the natural oak prevails in this exhibit, yet it maintains hold over the undertones of repulsively towards human kind and its imprisonment of nature. 

I first became aware of ‘Albion’ through a friend who had visited the Rudolfinun, Prague during an exhibition showcasing Collishaw’s work in 2018. As a huge art and tree lover myself, as you can imagine I was absolutely thrilled to have had the opportunity to visualise it for myself whilst on display at the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Kew Gardens, London, earlier this year.

I do hope I get the opportunity to experience more of Mat Collishaw’s work in person in the future, and I very much look forward to learning of new, future works by the artist.

Thank you for taking the time to read The Geography Reader today,

Hannah