For this project I chose to concentrate on a simple woodcut print of the cross section of an Oak tree, which was cut down by my dad - a Cumbrian farmer. The embossed words are a direct quote from the Woodland Trust's website. While reading around the subject of "at risk" species it's hard not to become disheartened - the statistics for the UK are particularly terrifying and I wanted to show the impact that the demise of one key species - like the mighty Oak - can have on others.

Trees are particularly pertinent to me as due to disease (mainly Ash dieback) many of them on the family farm are now in decline. Through the Woodland Trust and the Forestry Commission, my dad's response is to plant 2700 new trees, many more than are there already. It's his way of aiming to do something positive for the environment in the face of such adversity; attempting to take control in an uncontrollable situation; and ultimately trying to ensure there'll still be trees and connected wildlife for the next few generations to enjoy.

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