Ash Rise, a critically acclaimed exhibition, is now on show at Benmore Botanic Garden, near Dunoon. This exhibition explores the beauty and versatility of this native tree through furniture, design and art, as well as the destructive effect of ash dieback disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which is threatening 75% of Scotland’s native ash trees.
The exhibition brings a hopeful light to the Garden, which suffered tremendous damage earlier this year following the impact of Storm Eowyn, when over 300 trees were lost at Benmore. On top of this, the Garden is in the process of removing 300 larch trees that have been infected by a deadly disease (Phytophthora ramorum) before this pathogen can spread to other plants. This exhibition embodies the beauty that can be found after tragedy.
Ash Rise was established by the Scottish Furniture Makers Association, Scottish Forestry and the Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers in response to the threat facing ash trees. This multi-discipline exhibition shows the skills of 20 furniture makers, designers and artists from across Scotland using the wood from diseased trees felled throughout Scotland, hoping to raise awareness of the threat to one of Scotland’s best loved trees. An alumnus of Dunoon Grammar School, Stevi Benson’s work will be feature in this show.
Amy Porteous, Producer of Creative Programmes at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: ‘Ash is one of our native hardwood trees and was previously common across the UK, but our natural landscapes are now visibly and permanently changing as millions of trees succumb to the disease.
However, there are seeds of hope because some individuals have been shown to have natural resistance, with the possibility that long-term, the species will survive and recover.
Until that happens, the exhibition at Benmore Botanic Garden shows how, despite the devastation wrought by the disease, ash has the potential to live on through the skill of Scotland’s makers, artists and designers.”
Tom Addy, Ash Rise project coordinator and furniture maker said:
"The native ash is one of our most precious resources here in Scotland and for the Ash Rise exhibition at Benmore Botanic Garden we wanted to showcase the potential of what has been described as the Tree of Life. Acknowledging the impact of ash dieback led us to invite furniture makers, artists and designers to showcase the creative potential of a single ash tree. The results are not just a homage to the Scottish ash but an insight into the transformative power of furniture making and design to breathe new life into locally sourced materials.
“The documentary film shown alongside the beautiful works on show in the exhibition aims to educate visitors on the value of working with locally sourced wood and highlight the impact of the disease and the work being done by Scottish Forestry to manage it."
The exhibition Ash Rise runs from Monday June 2 until Sunday August 31 and Garden admission applies to non-members. The exhibition is open from 10:30 am to 4:30pm each day.