A tree can live for centuries, standing through generations of change, before eventually returning to the earth. But its story doesn’t end there.
In December 2024, Storm Darragh felled a beech tree which had been rooted in Somerset’s Nettlecombe Estate for centuries. Over the course of this residency, craftsman Jeffrey Hart will start to create 365 handmade objects from this same tree — each one a testament to its resilience and ongoing transformation.
Visitors will experience a diverse selection of objects, all borne through the skill and heritage of their makers. Every spoon, bowl or brush carries the memory of the tree’s past and the promise of its future — transformed by human hands but still deeply rooted in nature. The showcase highlights the richness of living craft traditions, inviting reflection on the connection between people, materials and techniques passed down through generations.
As part of the residency, members of the public will be invited to engage directly with craft processes through a series of workshops. Participants will explore different green woodworking techniques, transforming natural materials into functional art and continuing the legacy of the tree.
My work is shaped by three recurring materials: wood, natural fiber, and clay. I work at two scales — crafting small, functional objects, such as spoons, bowls and chairs, as well as building highly-insulated homes using natural materials. Whether carving with hand tools in near silence, or shaping walls from earth to create calm and healthy spaces, my work is always about connection.
I see craft as more than just making — it is a form of storytelling. It offers a way to maintain knowledge that has existed for centuries, by building upon our enduring relationships with materials and working with the landscapes that sustain us.
Through my work, I aim to create a sense of belonging — a biophilic response that echoes the deep calm of a forest. This residency is an extension of that ethos. By inviting the public to gather in a space and explore different craft processes, we ensure that the story of the tree continues.
