Our “Talks across Borders” have begun

Last night’s steamy event at Ashburton Arts Centre moved our festival into a new stage. Ann Blockley, Jacqui Wedlake-Hatton, Joe Webster and Gordon Field generously discussed, and allowed us to listen to reflections about, their individual practices, and why and how they work with trees. They explored the provocation “If Trees Could Talk” and what it raises for them. Andy Williamson adeptly accessed the various artists’ photos and videos to illustrate the organically flowing “Talk Across Borders.”

Three painters and a sculptor/woodworker brought very different inclinations and perspectives, that nonetheless converged around the symbolic, wellbeing, and climatic importance of trees. Renowned artist and author of multiple books by Batsford Publishers, Ann Blockley, spoke to wellness themes, confidence and boldness. “Collage can create all sorts of different stories- but I have to take control. I have watercolours- the water takes shapes of patterns and fractals, if you let it happen, and then I put my slant on it.” 

The other ‘Arborealist,’ Jaqui-Wedlake- Hatton chaired the conversation, and talked about lessons to be learned from the artistic practices of observing and being with one’s subject. Her artwork tends to feature trees that twist and distort themselves to reach light or otherwise access things they need. Joe Webster, who painted the monumental artwork at the entryway to Newton Abbot Town Centre – with inputs from 630 local residents, drew the conversation towards themes of equity, contradictions of modern life,  and creating space for reflection and appreciation before its too late. He said, “if a tree is felled, the significance becomes apparent when there is loss.” Artist and Dowser Gordon Field brought a mystical, folkloric, and spiritual dimension to the evening – that particularly drew attention to the idea and feelings of connection, saying, “

When you feel time change, that’s when you build your connection.”This conversation is a foundation to a series of four further conversations. These explore themes of (30 June) Arts-led Social Change, (8 July) ‘Trees Within Was and the MicroBiome’ – a health and social prescribing oriented conversation featuring internationally celebrated artist Andrew Carnie who has done medicallresearch with a neurological, cardiovascular, and digestion specialists, (14 July) Entrepreneurship, Creative and Green, and (15 July) the stories we use to motivate and enable change – featuring manager of Devon’s Perridge Forest, former chair of the Forestry Commission, and former chair of the SW Development Agency, Sir Harry Studholme BT DL and CEO of EarthWatch Europe and trustee of Rewinding Britain, Harry Barton.

The next conversation in the Talk Across Borders is about “Arts-led Social Change,” on 30 June 2026 at Ashburton Arts Centre. Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30 start. Tickets are offered on a  pay what you can basis at https://wegottickets.com/f/20872.