a hedgerow homage for the National Forest
An exploration of the extraordinary and humble hedgerows of the National Forest with artist Ruth Singer. Throughout Spring 2023, Ruth & a team of volunteers met with hedges along the National Forest Way and shared their stories. From this gathering of hedge learning from old maps, from observation and emotional connection, Ruth made a textile artwork connecting the stories. It was made to be shown in an ancient hedge at Timber Festival, July 2023.
Installation photos below by David Severn taken at Timber Festival
Find out about the details of the artworks here.
Blossom & Thorn is about celebrating the overlooked and under-appreciated hedges of our National Forest landscape. Woodlands and large, veteran trees tend to get a lot of our attention, while humble hedgerows are a little forgotten but can still hold amazing hedgestories. During May, I have collected information about hedges from people who have walked sections of the National Forest Way.
This project is supported by a National Forest Arts Grant.
Read the project development blog posts below.
Blossom and Thorn Research
Over the last month I’ve invited people local to the National Forest Way to look at hedges and share their findings for my Blossom & Thorn project. This is part of the research for an artwork I am making for Timber Festival in July which tells stories about the hedges alongside the National Forest Way.…
Hedge walks
Like the hedges, my Blossom & Thorn project is in bloom now! Last weekend I led a guided walk along a section of the National Forest Way in Leicestershire. 14 of us (and one dog) explored several stretches of hedges in really varied condition. Some were closely clipped and others gone semi-wild, while others were…
Following Paths and Hedges
Paths and boundaries are where I started with the creative journey of making Blossom & Thorn, my project about the stories of hedges in the National Forest.
National Hedgerow Week
Why I love hedges In winter and early spring they can be the most amazing sculptural forms which never cease to fascinate me. In Spring they are bursting into leaf and blossom. Here in Leicestershire the Hawthorn or May blossom is just starting but there’s still some blackthorn left. I’ve also found some apple blossom…
Timber Festival and Hedges
My Blossom & Thorn project exploring hedges in the National Forest comes to fruition with a showcase of the artwork at Timber Festival this July. This week is National Hedgerow Week, the perfect time to get out and explore some hedges near you. This project focuses on hedges alongside or near the National Forest Way…
Download the colour booklet PDF here.
Printable black and white version of the booklet
Ruth Singer 