The Coupled Oak Tree at Oxleas Woods

Oxleas Woods inspires Himani Weir to create her art

Oxleas wood is part of our national heritage and a South East London treasure. Some parts are as ancient at 8,000 years and go back to the last ice age.

As a teenager, my friends and I would hang out in Oxleas Wood after school, by the derelict C18th folly called Severndroog Castle.

Later as a mother, I walked with my daughters many times to visit these ancient woods. We discovered for ourselves, two distinct oak trees connected together and reaching up towards the sky.

They enjoyed climbing and hiding around these trees, which seem to pull us close and feel familiar somehow.

During the Covid epidemic myself and many others, will remember that a walk in the woods was felt grounding and a place of hope in contrast to the fear and chaos that surrounded us.

Sleeping serpent by Himani Weir.

Artists Response

As an artist I have responded to these trees with an imagined three headed serpent, hiding up in the trees only to appear when they are safe.

They only reveal themselves to those who are open to seeing them. Like the trees, they are separate yet joined.

The serpent appears and morphs into representations of the stages of womanhood, sometimes they are sisters, sometimes as mother and daughters and sometimes as different emotional states of one being.

Oxleas Wood coupled oaks.

Oxleas Wood

Officially designated at a SSSI – a sight of special scientific interest. You will find Silver Birch, Coppice Hazel, Oak and Hornbeam. You may also find our coupled Oaks.

Severndroog Castle.

Painting: Himani Weir/https://cargocollective.com/himaniweir

Sevendroog Photo: Sara Hayes/The Public Art Company