The ‘Life’ Tree Root Collection

This profound collection comprises seven distinct photographs of exposed tree roots, mirroring the seven deliberate layers of a food forest—a sacred number that echoes the deep ecological harmony we have spent 24 years cultivating on our own croft.Captured by my husband, Graham, these images come from a more ancient forest that was once under his dedicated care. In this woodland, trees were left to fall and break down naturally, allowing the lifecycle to complete undisturbed for the benefit of the entire ecosystem. Through Graham’s lens, broken roots mirror broken bodies. The exposed under-depths of the earth offer a striking visual metaphor, evoking the tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s death and revealing Christ Himself as the true tree of life. These roots are a testament to an unseen journey—captured forever in their ancient search for energy, water, and vital, symbiotic connections with fungi and neighbouring trees.Trees possess a distinct soul. As we look closely into the unearthed structures Graham has documented, the shapes mimic the human form, compelling us to recognize trees as far more than a resource to be used. They possess true depth, an ancient intelligence, and a capacity for compassion and collective care. Perhaps, within the dark crevices and hidden hollows of these roots, it is actually us hiding from the truth: that the ancient forest is fully alive with a soul of its own.