'Coed Coexist' exhibition - a storm felled Beech tree processed by artists

'Coed Coexist' exhibition is open at Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog. A huge Beech tree blew down in a storm in the grounds of the oldest gallery in Wales, and local artists Junko Mori and John Egan had the idea to honour the life of the tree by local artists processing it, completely, every part of it, transmuting it with the power of creativity. They brought together 80 artists and precipitated an explosion of ideas, which now fills the gallery.

Works include sculpture, beautiful functional objects, furniture, musical instruments (the Marimba played here), charcoal drawings and prints, interactive digital, and a song by Faith Watson, which we sang together in harmony at the opening, filling the building, celebrating that "the tree lives on". Absolutely magic.

When I went with an open mind (not being a woodworker) to pick up my part of the tree, the first piece I picked up felt like a hammer; a branch with a burr.

John Egan and I discussing the finer points of Beech Burr hammers, with the rest of the Beech tree in the foreground

I used these cavewoman hammers to make copper bowls, and then sliced open the burr hammer and made a tree shaped setting for one of the bowls. Like many of the artists involved, I stepped out of my comfort zone, and played.

Massive thanks to John and Junko, the whole team at Plas Glyn Y Weddw, and all the amazing artists involved, it's a privilege to be part of this community in North Wales.

The exhibition is on until 12th July, I recommend visiting, it’s a real eye-opener.

John and Junko received a sapling grown from a Beechnut from the tree, which really does live on.