Memory Keepers & Young Shoots Social Club
At the start of her residency at RHS Garden Bridgewater, Yan Wang Preston discovered the oldest tree on the site – a sweet chestnut tree that is around 300 years old. This exhibition will explore the intimate relationship she developed with this tree over nearly 2 years, as she tried to understand the agency of the tree through pushing the boundaries of photography. It will include the 300 short texts shared by participants who generously offered to help represent the impossibility of living through 3 centuries.
The exhibition will launch 22nd October and all participants are encouraged to attend. The exhibition will then run from the 24th October until 28th February 2027.
Alongside, Young Shoots Social Club presents new work by members of Salford Youth Service with artist-in-residence Liz Lock. Since 2025 Liz has worked with around 50 young people ages 14-17, using photography as ‘a reason to go somewhere, notice something, spend time together and make things.’
The Sweet Chestnut Tree at RHS Garden Bridgewater, 20 Nov 2024, ©Yan Wang Preston
Participant Submission Examples:
-
1851
Sweet Chestnut, Castanea sativa if you don’t mind. It’s October 1851 and welcome to my wood, since 1725 this is where I’ve stood. It’s only now I sense changes like I never thought I would. The Ellesmere’s, have carved a garden inside my very wood, fortunately, I wasn’t in the way because of where I stood. To the East chimneys…
-
1850
When asked to donate a ‘memory’ for this lovely and imaginative project, I chose to highlight 1850 and the formation of Pendleton Mechanics’ Institute. Its purpose was to help shape the workforce of the future, as new industrial skills were in demand. Traditional jobs were changing and the population needed to respond quickly. Times were exciting from an industrial perspective,…
-
1995
What still remains We marched beneath your shining leaves once With others now we barely know And stories, kicked in dirt, they made us. Cratered drops on earth below Busy, making fire from benches Throwing knives between our legs We didn’t care to see your branches Or stop to know your furrowed twigs But still we came, and drank from…
By agreeing to participate, you agree to have your story shared online, in print, and in any and all future publications in perpetuity. The content may be used and shared by the artist, commissioner and partner organisations. Authors will remain anonymous in the final artwork, but will be listed as contributors. Please let us know if you wish for your name to NOT be included in the contributors list. For any queries about the project, reach us at artcollection@salford.ac.uk