Virtual Exhibition: Everything in the forest is the forest

For the past five years Hewitt has worked at The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR FACE) within a circle of twelve oak trees, which are about 180 years old, and would have been acorns when photography was invented.

Setting her artist studio within this circle, Hewitt has repetitively documented the forest and its seasonal changes. She has examined the way trees relate amongst themselves and how, in the subterranean world, they connect their roots with fungal networks to share nutrients and information, they identify and nurture their offspring, pass wisdom to their young, and care for their community.

Everything in the forest is the forest presents 14 bodies of work that celebrate trees remarkable ability to nurture and communicate, and offers a wealth of insights on how we, as a society, can gain from the unity, communities and relationships found within the forest.

The exhibition is accompanied by a resonating immersive sound recording of the dawn chorus in the forest, made in collaboration with musician Professor Annie Mahtani.

Exhibition on tour:

20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe – 27 September 2025 to 10 January 2026.

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Curated by Anne McNeill with assistance from Jane Hiley, Everything in the forest is the forest is a major solo show by Clare Hewitt. An Impressions Gallery touring exhibition, presented as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

With thanks to GRAIN Projects, The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR FACE), University of Birmingham, STEAMhouse, UWE Bristol, Stirchley Printworks, and a-n The Artists Information Company.