Queen's Green Canopy artworks to be exhibited

An exhibition of artworks of the Ancient Canopy dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) will go on display at Sotheby’s in London from 10 – 20 December 2022.

Launched in May by His Majesty The King, who is Patron of the QGC, the Ancient Canopy consists of a nationwide network of 70 Ancient Woodlands and 70 Ancient Trees dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

The exhibition will showcase a series of stunning images of the Ancient Canopy which have been captured by landscape photographers Adrian Houston and Charles Sainsbury-Plaice, alongside magnificent drawings created by artist Mary Anne Aytoun-Ellis.

The historic Ancient Woodlands and Trees portrayed by the artists will include:

·       The 12^th century Queen Elizabeth I Sessile Oak at Cowdray Park in West Sussex

·        The Llangernyw Yew in Conwy, Wales – a living survivor from prehistoric times thought to be germinated in the Bronze Age, about 4,000 years ago

·       The Black Wood of Rannoch - the largest area of semi-natural pine forest in Scotland which has survived relatively undisturbed for some 10,000 years

·       The inseparable brother and sister Yew trees located in the ruins of Crom Castle, Northern Ireland.

During the exhibition, Sotheby’s will be the setting of a private auction in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy, which is a charitable initiative. The series of artworks on display as part of the exhibition are also available for sale through The Tree Art Gallery, with a donation made in support of the QGC for each purchase. https://www.thetreeartgallery.com/

With details to be announced, two books on the Ancient Canopy will be published in 2023.  

By sharing captivating picture stories of the UK’s Ancient Woodlands and Trees, often referred to as “Nature’s Crown Jewels”, the QGC aims to raise awareness of these treasured habitats which have formed the backdrop to important moments in the history of our four nations, and the importance of conserving them for future generations.

Lord Dalmeny, UK Chairman, London, Sotheby’s, said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a fantastic initiative which both celebrates the United Kingdom’s awe-inspiring natural history of woodland and trees, and pays a lasting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. I hope that visitors to our New Bond Street galleries will be moved by the artworks, reflect upon the importance of conserving nationally significant habitats for future generations and perhaps even be inspired to plant a tree of their own.

The artworks will be on public exhibition for all to enjoy at Sotheby's in London, 34-35 New Bond Street, W1A2AA, from the 10^th- 20^th December 2022. Opening times are as follows:

10th December, midday – 5pm

Sunday 11th December, midday – 5pm

Monday 12th - Friday 16th December, 9am - 4.30pm

Saturday 17th December, midday- 5pm

Sunday 18th December, midday- 5pm

Monday 19th December, 9am - 4.30pm

Tuesday 20th December, 9am - 4.30pm

Adrian Houston is known for his atmospheric images that fire the imagination. A passionate environmentalist, his career has seen him travel to some of the world’s most unexplored and inhospitable terrains, with his powerful photographs subsequently gracing everything from advertising campaigns to magazine covers. His work has been exhibited both at The National Gallery and The Royal Academy.

Charles Sainsbury-Plaice is a nationally renowned countryside and equestrian photographer,

whose images have been regularly featured in such publications as The Field, Country Life Horse & Hound. Charles has photographed King Charles III over many years in his previous role as The Duke of Cornwall.

Mary Anne Aytoun Ellis studied at Ruskin School of Drawing Oxford University, Royal College of Art London and Ecole des Beaux Arts Paris. She has been an official tour artist to King Charles III on a number of occasions. When not scouring the British Isles for ancient trees, she works in her studio in Lewes.