The Urban Forest Photographic Exhibition
"The Urban Forest" is a series of photographs dealing with issues of ‘greening’ the urban environment. Tree planting is often used in attempt to improve neighbourhoods and road schemes, but this may put the trees at risk of damage from traffic and vandalism.
This series of photographs evolved out of commissions for the Mersey Forest, an organisation that since the early 1990’s have focussed on long term tree planting programmes, and are continuing phased tree planting schemes across areas of Merseyside. The trees require support and protection either by physical means or by members of the local community. As saplings the trees are caged and staked to protect them.
The photographs focus on the dichotomy of the trees’ apparent vulnerability and their tenacity in a busy cityscape. The exhibition also highlights the differences between the “Natural” forest and the manufactured “Urban” forest.
"The Urban Forest" continues McCoy Wynne's long-standing concerns with environmental issues, landscape and the depiction of Merseyside.
McCoy Wynne is a collaborative partnership of photographers Stephen McCoy and Stephanie Wynne. They have a successful commercial photography practise, but also collaborate on personal projects. They have had their work exhibited and published widely.
They were finalists in The Liverpool Art Prize 2009, Exhibited in Look 11 Photo Festival with “Bingo and Burial” and Look 13 Photo Festival with “Processing”. Contributors to Shot up North for the past several years and most recently had their project “Triangulation” an ongoing series to photograph all 314 Triangulation points in the UK, shown online at The AOP and published in The RPS Contemporary Journal.
A selection of the work will be shown at The University of Liverpool School of Architecture, John Stephenson Gallery, Leverhulme Building, Bedford St North Entrance, Liverpool, L69 7ZN
17th September – 3rd October
Launch afternoon on Saturday 20th September 1pm – 4pm