Deforestation of Fertility

These images ask questions of the human impact on our planet - deforestation and fading fertility, pollution and the climate crisis. A humble toilet roll symbolises the destruction of our natural environment for human consumption. Felling trees and using chemicals to produce toilet paper contributes to environmental degradation, climate change, and pollution. 

7000 years ago, most of Scotland was covered in a rich, diverse forest. In the Highlands, where I live, the Caledonian Forest was a wilderness of about 15,000km2 and home to an intricate web of life.

Man has heavily exploited the woodland - felling trees for fuel, buildings and to make way for farming, commercial plantations and large shooting estates.

By the 1700s the Caledonian Forest remained in only the most remote places. By the 1950s only about 1% of the original Caledonian Forest remained. Wildlife and precious ecosystems are lost.

All sold artwork from the installation (physical and digital) will plant a tree in the project grove, helping to rewild the forests of Scotland:

https://www.markosborne.studio/the-grove

109 unique hand-printed photograms from my darkroom)