Great North Wood 

Great North Wood immerses the viewer in an ancient English woodland landscape, a place of tranquillity, healing and nature. The images explore the landscape of the Great North Wood over the course of a year when it provided an essential refuge during a period of mental health recovery related to LGBTQ+ identity. The woods provide a space to slow down, observe, listen, and become grounded and present. This personal record of this location and period of healing, also speaks universally of the traditions of English landscape, history, time and identity.

The simple act of being in the wood is reflected in the straightforward image making and design of the book. The 148 images are arranged chronologically over a year and are presented as full-bleed, double-page spreads, with no distractions from the sense of immersion in the woods. Text is limited to a single tipped-in page at the rear and a loose insert listing the bird species heard (though usually not seen).

This area of ancient woodland is only 5 miles south of central London but feels like it could be anywhere in England. The cyclical and seasonal patterns of nature are made very apparent when the same place is repeatedly revisited over time, when all else may change, it cycles on. That oak trees can live to 1,000 years really connects you to history.

Self-published in an edition of 100 copies, a proportion of book income will be donated to London Wildlife Trust who manage the woodland and to Stonewall Housing the LGBTQ+ charity tackling homelessness and mental health issues.

Great North Wood has been purchased for the University College London East Art Collection selected by the Director of the Slade School of Fine Art - Kieren Reed, the President and Provost of UCL - Dr Michael Spence, and the Pro-Provost UCL East - Paola Lettieri.

Note from Curator

This new iteration of ‘Great North Wood’ by James Berrington encapsulates the genesis of this exhibition as we offer the viewer a space to be present and reflect. In a world where the powers of desecration and technology escapism allure our attention, James asks us to slow down. Through the historical lens of traditional English Landscape painting, James offers these photographic scenes of south London’s Great North Wood. As a viewer, you can’t help but feel an air of calm full over you, as through these honest depictions of the woods connect us to the restorative power of nature.