The Ash (leaf fragmented) series, arises from Linda Ingham’s study of 12 Ash trees which line the eastern edge of Horseshoe Meadow at the RSPB Blacktoft Sands reserve.

Having been studying the meadow since January 2019, the leaf fragments Ingham gathered in January 2020 became the material which informed a series of work begun during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown; purposefully pared-down in palette and created using two sheets of 155 x 105cm Somerset Satin paper – restrictions becoming an opportunity.

The ‘portraits’ of individual, and group leaf fragments play with scale, notions of balance and the actuality of edges and edging, (in Linda’s mind) which connect through to current concerns about local and regional ecology and the climate crisis. Each leaflet carries upon itself the imprints of weather and environment; scars and freckles, tears and spots.

Most ash trees are wildlife, like bluebells or badgers or birch trees; they look after themselves and cost nothing … There are nearly as many ash trees in Britain as there are people – but what does that statement mean? Oliver Rackham, The Ash Tree, Little Toller, Dorset 2014