Project title: In Search of the Green Man

This project takes place in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, and at the John Ruskin School, Coniston. The end result is an installation of paintings in the Forest. It is part of Paul Goodrick's work sponsored by the Arts Council (England) and by the Forestry Commission and falls under the general heading of "The Green Cube".

The project covers:

1. Art galleries - what they are, where they are usually sited, how pictures are displayed in them and what people's reactions are when they visit them. It asks the question: What happens if we make a gallery in the forest?

2. The Green Man as a subject for artwork - what are the origins and myths of the Green Man, where might we see him and how is he associated with woodland? The artwork includes mask-making, drawing and using the Green Man as a subject for painting .

3. Environmental art - understanding links between creative work and the environment, and an awareness of the world around us, particularly the forest. Linking urban and natural themes. Using natural materials from the forest to make a stretcher for a canvas. Using a theme connected to nature. Making artwork outdoors. What happens to artworks when they are displayed in the open. Seeing what other artists have done and talking about their environmental art.

Press Statement issued by John Ruskin School

Gallery in the Forest

The John Ruskin School in Coniston is taking part in an unusual art project - the creation of an Art Gallery in the heart of Grizedale Forest. Painted canvases, stretched onto frames of wood from the forest, are all created by year five pupils and depict images of the mythical green man.

The project is led by international environmental artist, Paul Goodrick, who lives in Kent and is sponsored by the Arts Council. Paul said: "This is part of a theme I have been working on for some time which looks at relationships between urban and natural environments. Although Grizedale Forest is a sculpture park, the "Gallery" we are creating in it will be exhibiting paintings you would normally expect to see in a building, usually in a town. I think, although it is unusual, it will make such art more accessible and less intimidating. The green man as a subject adds another dimension. It takes us back to a time when there wasn't a wide distinction between the urban and the natural. The school is very enthusiastic about it and has done lots of research and really good paintings already".

Art teacher Jo Walton added: "We are really delighted to be involved in this project and the fact that a lot of the work is outdoors and results in a real exhibition is making the children very excited about it."