MAY /JUNE 2025
THE GREYTON POST
13
Wood for the Trees: Art that Surprises and Reveals
T ucked away within the bustling heart of Greyton, the Art of Compassion gallery—run by Nicola Vernon of the Greyton Animal Sanctuary— has become a sanctuary of a different kind. Curated by Christopher Parker, known locally and abroad as The Dead Botanist, the gallery’s current exhibition Wood for Trees invites viewers to pause, look deeper, and uncover what lies beneath the surface. As Parker explains, “Sometimes, we are so focused on the detail that we can’t see the bigger picture... and vice-versa.” The artists featured in this collective are united by more than medium or theme—they are connected by curiosity, compassion, and a vision that mirrors Greyton’s quiet depth. Curator Parker insists that a great gallery must be “consistently changing, well curated, aesthetic—and challenging.” This ethos is tangible throughout Wood for Trees, where every work reveals a different way of seeing the world. Graeme Bramley , a product designer turned jeweller and welder, draws on his background in industrialisation to create intricate metal and wearable pieces, grounded in a design sensibility honed through years of exploration.
whimsical acrylic paintings that celebrate village life, vintage vehicles, animals, and the magic of daily joy. Her humour-driven pieces are now also coming to life through her new venture into animation. Parker + Laird , the British duo, use reclaimed alien timber to craft hand-carved sculptures that honour sacred geometry and environmental responsibility. Their ongoing series “Arboretum” addresses global deforestation, turning discarded wood into poetic protest.
of the handmade, echoing her spiritual and artistic depth. Christopher Parker (The Dead Botanist) creates eerie, glowing ecosystems sealed in glass. Using local plant life and precise preservation methods, his work imagines a future in which flora evolve into new, otherworldly forms. Thomas Cartwright paints with bold colour and quiet meaning. After surviving cancer, his art
deepened to reflect transformation and
Rebecca Jones works in delicate detail, creating paper and wire floral sculptures inspired by the overlooked— plants, weeds, and twigs. Her pieces blur the boundary between two- and three- dimensional space.
storm-felled trees. Each work respects nature’s original design while adding human craftsmanship.
Adriaan Basson works intuitively, often using driftwood and natural materials he finds while
exploring. His art reflects a minimalist approach to life— accepting nature’s offerings and creating with purpose. Carol Gibbs , an assemblage artist and writer, creates emotional resonance through her collection of discarded treasures. Her works of collected history become dreamscapes that speak to memory, nostalgia, and wonder. Wood for the Trees is on now at the Art of Compassion gallery in Greyton. It is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys art that whispers, challenges, and reveals what often goes unseen.
gratitude. He draws inspiration from Japanese woodblock printing, fusing tradition with personal story. Grant Bramwell of Forest Creations is a master carpenter
Michelle Holloway offers
whose elegant wooden forms are crafted exclusively from
Ronèl Wood is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice includes music, painting, writing, and ceramics. Her pottery, in particular, embraces the imperfect beauty
Sponsored by Greyton Pottery Painting. Wherever. Whenever. WhatsApp 0845550229 and Tabatha will deliver a pleasure bomb basket with everything you need for your pottery painting experience: including a range of ceramic pieces, paints, stencils, brushes and inspiration.
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