Calder Wood | Contemporary perspectives on an ancient woodland
20 October 2023 to 21 January 2024
This mixed media exhibition brought together five artists with diverse approaches who share a passion for the natural world.
Anne Gilchrist, Kirsty Venters Marks, Tansy Lee Moir, Jennie Tuffs and Cordula Marks Venters have spent the last four seasons discovering some of the stories and secrets of West Lothian's foremost ancient woodland, Calder Wood.
For this collection of new work the artists have interpreted what they found in the wood from their own individual perspectives, exploring it from their differing cultural and historic viewpoints. The works here also consider the perspectives of the non-human world and how these ancient, complex relationships can be read in the landscape.
These works help us to look beneath the surface of what we see to understand the layers of human and non-human relationships more deeply. The show encompasses vibrant colour, intricate detail, poetic imagination and dark drama. It aims to reveal some of the tiny marvels and big mysteries to be found amongst these trees.
Curated by Tansy Lee Moir, Artist and Camille Archer, Arts Officer, West Lothian Council. Supported by Jane Begg, Tree and Woodland Officer and Kirsty Morrison, Country Park Ranger, West Lothian Council.