Knole Tree Gallery: Nature's Own Sculpture Trail
Introduction
Over the last twenty years Jackie has developed an enormous affection for Knole Park. Its appeal is not just the stunning parkland but also the restorative benefits that come from close observation of its trees, walking and experiencing nature first hand.
Through her botanical art, Jackie explores the evocative power of the trees in Knole Park focusing on the themes of renewal, shape and imagination. She draws attention to the wonders of nature’s cycle of life and decay, celebrates the remarkable forms of weathered trees and conjures unusual narratives to enrich the experience. Trees stand for decades, some even centuries, yet they are never static; they grow, decay, and transform with the seasons. Her work captures their grandeur and resilience while acknowledging their impermanence.
The Knole Tree Gallery Exhibition
The ‘Knole Tree Gallery’ exhibition features Jackie’s oil paintings of remarkable trees, including a fire-damaged hollow beech, a ‘dancing’ hornbeam and a fallen tree with an intricate exposed root system.
This exhibition is kindly supported by the Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum (SVAF) and is to be held at the Kent County Council Sevenoaks Kaleidocsope Gallery.
- EXHIBITION - Knole Tree Gallery: Nature's Own Sculpture Trail
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Kaleidoscope Gallery
Sevenoaks Library
Buckhurst Lane
Sevenoaks
TN13 1LQ
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2-19th September
Mon 10am-6pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm
All welcome, free entry. -
Artist-led workshops for accompanied chidren at the Kaleidoscope Gallery
Sat 12th Sept 10.30am-12pm
Sat 19th Sept 10.30am-12pm
Nature's Own Sculpture Trails
Jackie invites people to follow her specially designed walks through Knole Park to discover the very trees that inspired her artworks, along with other fascinating natural sculptures shaped by time and the elements. The art experience is enriched by being able to locate the exact source of a painting using the maps and What3Words locations so that the tree’s scale, texture and presence can be experienced first-hand.
Jackie hopes to nurture the relationship between the viewer and the natural environment by encouraging them to adopt her unique way of experiencing the world. To discover solace and calm in the close observation that comes from slowing down, seeing and feeling and find beauty in the unexpected and stature in the commonplace.
Enjoy independently or join walks guided by Jackie
Downloadable maps and instructions are available below.
Either enjoy the sculpture walks independently or meet the artist and join Jackie on a guided walk. See details below.
Hollybush/Knole (1 hour)
Mon 7th Sept 2pm & Wed 16th 10am
Meet at car park by:
Hollybush Bowls Club, Hollybush Close TN13 3UX
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Godden Green/Knole (1-1.5hours)
Wed 9th Sept 10am & Sun 20th Sept 3pm
Meet outside:
Bucks Head Pub, Park Lane, Godden Green, Sevenoaks TN15 0JJ
St Julians Road/Knole (1 hour)
Sun 13th Sept 3pm & Tues 15th Sept 10am
Meet inside gate to:
Knole Park at the junction of St Julians Road, Fawke Common and Fawke Wood Road
Park where it is safe to do so.
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Community Involvement through Instagram
Visitors are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings about these trees through photographs, paintings, drawings, sculpture, poetry or prose. Creative contributions can be shared on Instagram #knoletreegallery and the tree’s individual hashtag such as #majesticchestnut.
The project has potential to extend way beyond the trees featured in the gallery exhibition. With such a diverse range of remarkable specimens in Knole Park, Jackie invites people to suggest their own special trees in Knole, which can be added to the database, for others to discover, enjoy, explore and be creatively inspired by.
Book
The project will culminate in a curated book featuring a selection of the most imaginative artworks and personal reflections submitted. Jackie hopes to encourage greater engagement with the visual arts, the natural world and above all, the remarkable landscape of Knole Park.
Be part of this exciting project!