Epipactis sancta, the Lindisfarne Helleborine, is a rare and endangered orchid species that is endemic to Lindisfarne (Holy Island). It has been suggested that it may have been introduced to the island by the monks, who used it for medicinal purposes, and it was only rediscovered in 1958. It is one of the least showy orchids in the world, although has generated heated debate as to how distinct it was to the dune helleborine (which I will leave to the plant geneticists).

My attention was drawn to it by my wife who went on a Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN) visit to find the orchids of Lindisfarne led by James Common. I was too late in the year to see it bloom so I created the print from photographs. In the spirit of Thomas Bewick I have made a wood engraving on English Boxwood. The irregular shaped block was supplied by Chris Daunt – one of the very few people who maintains the skill of creating these blocks.

I have tried to give a feel for the setting on the sand dunes with three linocuts of the land, sea and dunes. The shadowy ‘pilgrims’ heading across the Snook are, in fact, the NHSN looking for orchids.

A new bestiary and herbarium for at risk species by artists from Northern Print.

“Endless Forms Most Beautiful” is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to support visits, new printmaking and school’s programme for this project.

Northern Print artists bring together traditional printmaking and the natural world with a series of new prints highlighting the diversity of species that are categorised as ‘at risk’.

The ‘endless forms’ include marine life; plants; birds; insects and mammals with many familiar and much-loved species as well as less known and intriguing creatures that have captured the imagination and hearts of Northern Print’s artists.

This exhibition of 45 new prints has been made following a series of visits to our region’s natural history collections and habitats and represents the tiniest tip of the iceberg of our natural world under threat.

The artwork includes a range of approaches and printmaking processes – including heritage craft skills also deemed at risk including letterpress and mould-made papers