Made up of a series of intricate drawings, Keepers of Time celebrates the majesty of trees, spanning time beyond our lifespans, embodying mindfulness and nature’s connectivity. The works were created over the last year as part of Wakefield-based artist Tony Wade’s project documenting ancient and veteran trees for the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory. This inventory is a record of the oldest and most important trees in the UK, and the Woodland Trust ask people to contribute by populating the map.

Returning to YSP throughout the different seasons in 2024, Wade has created finely detailed digital drawings of the oldest trees within the Park, both with and without their foliage. The trees captured - some of which date back 300-400 years - include an ancient ash, veteran common sycamores and beeches, and an ancient field maple.

Based in Wakefield, Wade studied Fine Art at Bretton Hall College in the 1980s and currently has a studio at The Art House. Through painting, sculpture, drawing, light and music, his practice celebrates the everyday local environment and focuses on details that are often overlooked.

Wade often works within communities to facilitate access to art and spark moments of individual and group creativity. As part of the creative process for Keepers of Time, Wade worked with the Wakefield-based Appletree Ladies Group to explore and document trees within the local area and at YSP.