Meet the Artist: Navigating the Forest

'Navigating the Forest: The Fallen Branches of the Somme Oak' is a sculptural installation made up of nine partially sculpted tree branches. The branches used fell from an Oak tree that was brought back to Ireland as an acorn from the Somme in World War 1 and was planted in West Cork. Inspired by the mythological archetype of the World Tree or Tree of Life, the artist uses these tree branches as avatars for the earth, carving maps into them that explore how we conceptualize, utilise, exploit and harm the natural resources and ecosystems around us.

The installation creates a ritual grove where viewers can contemplate their own conceptions and use of land and their place in local and global ecologies. The central branch of the installation is left blank with viewers being invited to draw locations of personal significance on the bare wood creating a map of all the people that interact with the artwork.

This event is part of the RDS Foundation Festival - Finding Common Ground. This is a two-day public event that explores how Ireland can respond to shared environmental and societal challenges, particularly climate change, sustainable resource use, and bridging skills gaps.

The festival is rooted in the RDS’s long-standing heritage, which dates to 1731, of advancing agriculture, science, industry and the arts for the public good. For nearly three centuries, the RDS has provided a platform where different disciplines and perspectives meet to improve Irish society. The festival continues this tradition by creating space for open dialogue, collaboration and learning across sectors at a time when complex challenges demand collective solutions.

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Host or Publisher RDS Foundation