New Exhibition Opens This Week: Seen in the Trees by Tansy Lee Moir
This Thursday, Arundells is delighted to open Seen in the Trees, a new exhibition by acclaimed artist Tansy Lee Moir.
Running from 16 July to 26 October in the Studio at Arundells, the exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of drawings, paintings and monoprints inspired by some of Britain’s oldest and most characterful trees.
For Tansy, old trees are “time made wood”. Their twisted trunks, weathered bark and outstretched branches bear witness to centuries of growth, change and survival. Through her work, she explores not only their physical forms but the stories they hold, inviting us to consider what looking closely at trees can reveal about their lives and our own.
Working primarily with charcoal and natural pigments, Tansy forages for inspiration in ancient woodlands across Scotland and her native Peak District. Back in the studio, these observations develop into expressive works that blur the boundaries between landscape, figure and memory. Rooted in careful observation yet open to interpretation, her art encourages every viewer to discover their own connections within the forms and textures she creates.
The exhibition showcases three complementary strands of her practice. Dramatic charcoal drawings capture the energy and movement of mature beech trees, almost as though centuries of growth have been compressed into a single moment. Mixed media paintings, incorporating ground stone and charcoal, evoke the rich history of ancient wood pasture landscapes. Alongside these are striking monoprints that demonstrate an innovative charcoal printmaking technique Tansy has spent years developing.
Born in Derbyshire and now based in Edinburgh, Tansy Lee Moir has been refining her distinctive approach to charcoal drawing for more than fifteen years. After a successful career in community arts, learning and development, she now works full-time as an artist and educator, exhibiting and teaching throughout the UK. She has built strong partnerships with organisations dedicated to protecting ancient trees, and Seen in the Trees marks her eighth solo exhibition.
Visitors to Arundells may find there is no better setting for the exhibition than the historic surroundings of the house and gardens themselves. After exploring the exhibition in the Studio, take time to wander the gardens and perhaps look a little more closely at the trees around you. You may never see them in quite the same way again.
We look forward to welcoming you.
