Programme

Hannah Lees

Ash Walks #1 

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Ash Walks, Hannah Lees, 2019. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Hannah Lees, Ash Walk, 2018. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

Hannah Lees, Ash Walk, 2018. Photo: Rosie Lonsdale

The ash tree is the most common tree in the Kent Downs but in 2012, ash dieback (caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) was discovered in the U.K. and the disease has rapidly spread. Ash dieback is untreatable and could see the demise of up to 98% of these trees over the next decade.

The Ash Project is a cultural response to ash dieback, asking how we might mark and celebrate ash trees. In 2018, The Ash Project is working in partnership with Whitstable Biennale to present a series of artists’ walks. Curator Rose Thompson has devised four walks in collaboration with artists, encouraging different ways of looking at and exploring the landscape in Kent.

The first of four 2018 Ash Walks was hosted by artist Hannah Lees. Starting at 11:00 at King’s Wood Car Park in Challock and ending at The Woolpack in Chilham at 14:00, walkers were offered the option to have lunch afterwards in a relaxed setting The walk incorporated foraging for wild garlic, dandelions and more, along with the identification of specific plant species. All of this will be interjected with short readings covering topics from the Renaissance to realist magic. Reading materials will be provided to the walkers ahead of time.

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