Emotional Geographies

I am excited to share my solo show  Emotional Geographies at The Art House, Wakefield, my exciting new exhibition and installation that explores the powerful connection between people, place, and nature.

Inspired by my family roots in Wakefield, the project invites visitors to reflect on how memories and emotions are tied to the spaces and landscapes we inhabit. The project takes inspiration from my grandfather, Peter Hawkin, a Wakefield resident and art teacher in the city, who, in 1959, planted a series of flowering cherry and almond trees along Belgravia Road – a gesture of community care that continues to bloom today.

Drawing on this legacy the space invites consideration to the idea of “Emotional Geography”, how places and landscapes affect our feelings and memories. The exhibition looks at how these connections influence the way we see, experience, and care for nature and our surroundings, helping to shape our sense of belonging and well-being.

The exhibition features an immersive installation filled with a living woodland. Tree saplings fill the gallery offering a space for calm and contemplation. The space is being nurtured by local residents and community groups, who are caring for the plants in the sculpture.

This living and growing project will host a community engagement series bringing together people of all ages to explore themes of nature, happiness, and connection. At the end of the exhibition, the saplings will become part of the city’s future green spaces, supporting and contributing to Wakefield’s environmental goals and tree planting targets.