30th March 2023 • The HERALD • Page 27 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Call for a FREE Quotation 023 8084 0257 www.gasworks.co.uk Visit our showroom at 299 Shirley Road, Southampton SO15 3HU The Art of Trees e New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst is staging a ground-breaking multimedia art exhibition until 23rd April. Entitled Art of Trees, it uniquely combines original paintings by much-loved forest artist Barry Peckham and relative newcomer Jennifer Pitt, with lmed insights projected widescreen of the artists in their studios and out in the landscape as they paint some of the Forest’s most iconic and unusual trees. which made them excellent subjects or paintings. But it wasn’t just these venerable living specimens that interested the artists; they’ve also painted trees in various states of picturesque decay that now stand as nature’s sculptures, and form genuinely remarkable artworks. e Centre is staging the exhibition because these trees, which have been shaped by man and modi ed by grazing animals, form an important part of the New Forest’s cultural heritage. Clive said; “The artworks act as bridge, bringing these hard-to-find old trees to a new audience in an accessible way, and helping us to present the ongoing story of the ancient forest.” Sixteen short lms combine with almost 100 remarkable new paintings hanging in the New Forest Heritage Centre’s refurbished exhibition studio. e atmosphere in the space re ects the natural tranquillity of the artworks; gentle forest soundscapes set the mood, out of which the lms occasionally emerge to capture visitor attention, before fading back into the soundscape once more. It’s just like being with the artists deep in the forest landscape and inside their studios looking over Jenny Pitt their shoulders. e New Forest Heritage Centre has provided seating and invites visitors to linger long in the exhibition space and enjoy this unique experience, the rst of many. All of the original artworks are for sale, and there are various sizes and prices to select from. Although entrance to the exhibition is free, the New Forest Heritage Trust is a charity and welcomes donations to enable them to continue to develop these new experiences. Visitors are gently encouraged to give what they can using the box provided in the room. e Centre’s new Creative Director, Dr. Clive Brooks from Brockenhurst, said; “The Art of Trees is the first in a developing series of compelling multimedia experiences from the New Forest Heritage Centre. I’ve had the tremendous privilege of following the artists around with a movie camera deep in the Forest, and also been given exclusive access to their private studios as they paint, discuss and reveal to me their fascinating techniques and inspiration for this new collection of unusual forest artworks. My aim has been to bring deeper insight and understanding to the displayed paintings in ways that are simply not possible with a traditional art exhibition.” For Art of Trees, Barry Peckham and Jenny Pitt searched for ancient trees across the Forest which are recorded on a list with grid references. Many of these huge trees had grown into unusual shapes Barry Peckham e Social Table Tennis Group recently restarted in February, taking place on Wednesdays 3.30pm to 4.30pm at Applemore Health and Leisure Centre. For more information please call Ann Fielding on: 07732 003725. Restart of Social Table Tennis Group
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