A London exhibition showcases works by artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, commemorating eight centuries since the Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest. The collection, titled Totems to the Charter, features four paintings of historically significant trees, alive during the Charter's signing. These trees exemplify the origins of environmental protection laws in Britain. Notable trees include an ancient tree in Surrey, a 1,000-year-old oak in Wales, and historic beech trees in Epping Forest. Llywelyn Hall emphasizes their role as silent witnesses to the charter's significance and ongoing environmental issues.
The Totems to the Charter are the silent witnesses; the ancient veteran trees that were around at the time of the signing, 800 years ago. These rare, silent witnesses are largely the accidental survivors.
The Charter of the Forest, which Llywelyn Hall described as the first bit of environmental legislation, ultimately paved the way for the right to access woodland.
The trees included in the work, entitled the Totems to the Charter, were alive at the time the Charter of the Forest was signed.
Llywelyn Hall described the oak in Wentwood Forest as sitting squat, nestled in a dense pine forest and oozing with atmosphere and an otherworldly presence.
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