A new collection of five bespoke prints, titled ‘Heartwood,’ crafted from the trunk of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, will be publicly displayed starting today, Monday, July 15. Created by renowned printmaker Shona Branigan, these commemorative artworks will be exhibited at four locations along Hadrian’s Wall, celebrating the enduring legacy of the beloved tree.
The National Trust, safeguarding the felled 50-foot Sycamore Gap tree since its removal last September, commissioned Branigan to create these detailed prints. The tree, an essential landmark before vandals chopped it down, has been preserved to honour the overwhelming public response to its loss. Two men have been arrested on criminal damage charges. Their trial will begin this Autumn.
The ‘Heartwood’ collection, made from a 90cm diameter tree trunk disc, will be showcased at Newcastle City Library, Hexham Abbey (hosting two prints), Housesteads Visitor Centre, and Carlisle Tourist Information Centre. The exhibition is free and will run until September 1, 2024.
Following this period, all five prints will be displayed together at The Queen’s Hall, Hexham, from September 6 to October 19, 2024.
Each print in the ‘Heartwood’ series is individually themed, named, and coloured, capturing the intricate rings and grooves of the 200-year-old tree’s trunk. Funded by the North East Combined Authority, this project was developed in collaboration with the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hadrian’s Wall Partnership, and Historic England. ‘Heartwood’ is the first official artistic tribute to the fallen Sycamore Gap tree.
The unprecedented public reaction to the tree’s felling led to a program of legacy work, encouraging people to remember the historic landmark through three emerging themes: ‘Nature Response,’ ‘Space for Reflection,’ and ‘Artistic Response.’ Upcoming initiatives include school engagements, tree-planting projects, digital legacies, and further artistic endeavours, details of which will be shared in the coming months as the anniversary of the tree’s felling approaches.
Andrew Poad, General Manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall, expressed the project’s significance: “The Sycamore Gap tree was adored by so many, and it lives on today through their memories, words, and pictures. ‘Heartwood’ will allow the public to further connect with the tree, building on its significance and place in people’s hearts.”
Shona Branigan, who worked from her studio in Grizedale Forest, used traditional methods and materials to create detailed hand-burnished relief prints. Each print in the ‘Heartwood’ series has a unique depth and context, with specific colourways linked to the tree and its historic location. The prints include ‘Knowledge’ in gold ink, ‘Spirituality’ in ultramarine and iridescent colours, ‘Landscape’ in burnt umber and sap green, ‘History’ in Venetian red, and ‘Access,’ which is a tactile blind embossing on heritage rag paper.
Reflecting on the project, Branigan said, “It is with wood printing specifically that my fascination with trees and their lives in the landscape is expressed. Printing the Sycamore Gap was a privilege and a responsibility to honour the tree and the people who loved it. The process was labour-intensive but immensely rewarding.”
The exhibition of ‘Heartwood’ is a testament to the life of the Sycamore Gap tree and a celebration of its place in the hearts of many. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness remarked, “Our iconic tree can never be replaced, but this beautiful artwork allows its memory to live on. The loss of the Sycamore Gap tree was devastating, but this exhibition brings something positive from that loss.”
In addition to the public exhibition, the National Trust is working with Branigan to produce a unique ‘Heartwood ‘-related print for sale. Details on purchasing a print will be announced on the National Trust’s social media later this year.
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