Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

Commissioned by Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) and University of Derby, through the Oak Project

First exhibited at RHS Chelsea, 2021

Installation 4m x 4m x 4m

The artwork considered the vital role of plants as our life support system and our vital role to protect them. The piece was a careful balance of glassware suspended on glass mounts and contained rooted and cut organically grown plants used by humans (e.g. for medicine, fabric, or dye) and carried meaning from folklore or personal sentiment. It invited viewers to notice the beauty and sophistication of nature, for their own wellbeing, as well as that of planet Earth.

Dr Carly Butler & Prof Miles Richardson of the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby led an evaluation of the impact of Great Oaks with ‘overwhelmingly positive results’. The artwork contributed to the Oak Project’s report ‘How Art Could Save Us from Extinction’, providing proof of concept that art can play a powerful role in helping people to connect with nature.

Silver Gilt, RHS Chelsea installation prize winner, 2021

Exhibited at End of the Road festival at Larmer Tree Gardens, 2022

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This quantitative research is supported by the qualitative data collected by University of Derby’s researchers, which reveals the depth and intensity of people’s responses to the installation, and suggest that when the pathways work together it intensifies the impact of the experience.

“I loved seeing the roots of the plant – an insight into the engine room”

‘How Art Could Save Us from Extinction’ - White paper report

‘Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow’ was commissioned by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and University of Derby through the Oak Project, a national arts programme that used art, culture and creativity to help restore society’s connection with the environment.

Through research carried our by the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group during its first year of programming, the Oak Project’s data provided proof of concept that experiencing nature through the arts is leading to a significant increase in both nature connection and personal wellbeing.

Dr Carly Butler & Prof Miles Richardson of the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby led an evaluation of the impact of Great Oaks... Visitors at RHS Chelsea Flower show were invited to take part in a survey exploring their experiences of the exhibit and the extent to which pathways to nature connectedness were activated by it.

The impact of Great Oaks...

140,000 visitors to RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Over 1,900 views of a guided meditation using the installation
Over 70% of respondents agreed that it helped them feel more connected to nature and wanted to do more to help it
Most people strongly agreed that the Great Oaks from little Acorns grow... exhibit activated pathways to nature connectedness.
Over 90% of people agreed that the exhibit was beautiful, that it activated their senses, and that it made them feel calm or joyful
Over 70% indicated some agreement that the exhibit helped them feel more connected to nature and wanted to do more to help it.

“It had its own theatre through beauty and simplicity - the still small voice of calm’

“It was so delicate and beautiful.
I wanted to embroider it…”

— Quotes collected by the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group through their qualitative evaluation of ‘Great Oaks from little Acorns Grow’ at RHS Chelsea 2021.

‘Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow’ features in The Nature Connection Handbook by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group - more information here

Guided meditation

Take a moment. Find a quiet space. Immerse yourself in these gentle sights and sounds. And carry this connection with you into your day.

This guided meditation was commissioned by the Oak Project, scripted by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group, spoken by Zena Edwards, produced by TripleDotMakers, 2021