London Plane Tree by Beth Galton

Our lives are built up, layer by layer around our core selves. Belief systems, memories and opinions define who we are. But underneath these layers, what remains? As an artist and a person finding themselves in the later part of life, it has become essential for me to reevaluate and prioritise how I move through the world. Peeling back layers and looking for that original sense of self has become important. Walking to my studio, I pass a line of London Plane trees, and have noticed that they shed their bark. The tree is growing rapidly, and the bark is unable to expand as quickly as the tree enlarges. This fascinating process resonates with me. How do I shed preconceived constructs to make room for growth? How does this practice expose my vulnerabilities? To answer these questions, I created this photographic series, which consists of cast-off bark with manipulated self-portraits, connecting my exploration with nature.