TARTARUS

The name Tartarus refers to the place of torture and punishment in Greek mythology. Most of the Titans and the fifty female Danaides were imprisoned there, and many others too.

The dead stumps and twisted, split or hollow trees of Epping Forest bear witness to the forestry practice of pollarding. Up until the 1870’s the wood was cut and sold over and over again, exhausting the tree until sometimes only a hollow stem was left. These scarred trees and stumps are like magnificent sculptures to me, screaming in silent agony but also still standing mighty proud. In this series I wanted to give them space and light, and let them tell their own tales.

• PHOEBE won the Choice Prize in the Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize, 2021.

• Featured in The Earth Issue online “Grete Hjorth-Johansen – TARTARUS“. Anna Souter, 25 August 2020.

• A small selection received an honourable mention in the Fine Art category of the 15th Pollux Awards, 2020.

• Funding received from The Norwegian Pro Photographers’ Fund (Norske Fagfotografers Fond).