High Alert! installation takes public art into Faughan Valley Woodlands

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland is hosting a public art exhibition by Rob Hilken in three of its sites in August and September. Visual Artist Rob will install the ‘High Alert’ series in some of the conservation charity’s sites across Northern Ireland.

Rob’s installations will be located at the Glas-na-Bradan Wood (16th -18th August), The Faughan Valley Woodlands (29th August - 2nd September) and Mourne Park (13th - 15th September) woodland sites.

The art exhibition will also be launched as part of the Golden Thread Gallery’s reopening in Belfast on Saturday 10 August.

‘High Alert!’ is raising awareness of the Woodland Trust’s core aims to create new native woodland, protect existing trees, and restore ancient woodland. And the sites chosen for Rob’s exhibition fittingly demonstrate how the Woodland Trust is doing just that across Northern Ireland. Additionally, the installation will highlight the health benefits of getting out into nature and Rob is combining his love of woodlands and art with this public exhibition.

Communications, Engagement and Volunteer Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland Lynsey Nixon added: “We’re delighted that Rob has chosen to bring his public art into the Woodland Trust woods. We hope that the installation will bring something fresh to our regular visitors and attract new curious visitors to our woods, which are free for everyone to enjoy.”

Artist Rob Hilken commented: “I have been a member of the Woodland Trust for 18 years as I respect their core values, and I wanted to bring public awareness to their work across Northern Ireland.

"Trees and woods have so many benefits for people, nature and climate. I hope my installation will merge audiences of art and nature, bringing them from the gallery to the woods, and vice versa, and shine a light on the wonderful work of this conservation charity.”

Estate Manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland Dave Scott said: “Northern Ireland is the least wooded region in the UK and Ireland and in Europe with less than 9% tree cover. Northern Ireland also ranks as the 12th worst area for biodiversity loss in a survey of 240 countries.

"The urgency for the work of the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland has never been greater so we must plant more trees, protect our existing trees and woods and restore our precious ancient woodland.”

Rob’s ‘High Alert’ installation in the Faughan Valley Woodlands will be located at Oaks Wood and at the amphitheatre at Brackfield Wood.

The Woodland Trust has been protecting pockets of ancient woodland in the Faughan Valley since for almost 25 years. In August 2023, the conservation charity realised its vision of reconnecting these fragile fragments into the Faughan Valley Woodlands creating corridors for wildlife and greater access to the public.