Jasper Goodall was a highly regarded and influential illustrator until he became disillusioned with the world of commercial image making and left it behind to study Psychosynthesis counselling. This transformative training eventually lead to, and greatly informed a new artistic expression in the form of photography.
His primary interest lies in exploring the world after dark and, above all nocturnal subjects, the night forest holds a particular fascination.
The edge of the forest is a liminal space - upon entering one forsakes the the familiar and faces the uncertainty of the unknown. This dynamic is central to the human experience; so many times we are metaphorically called to leave the safety of the town and venture into the wild woods to face our fears and discover new truths.
This theme of overcoming fear to find richness is central to Goodall's practice: Whilst traversing the woods at night is often considered to be a terrifying prospect, within their dark, hushed glades, beyond the fear of the confining darkness, there can be found the treasure of a profound peace and a powerful reconnection with nature's wildness.
"I hope that my images evoke a sense of the landscape containing magic, for if we can begin to relate to the natural world not as a resource to plunder, but an entity to come to know, love and revere, we may rekindle a much needed sacred relationship."
'Entering the Dark Forest or the Enchanted Forest is a threshold symbol: the soul entering the perils of the unknown; the realm of death; the secrets of nature, or the spiritual world which man must penetrate to find the meaning' JC Cooper, An Illustrated Encyclopaedia Of Traditional Symbols.
'Fairy stories teach us how to see the forests, and how to love them too. They are spooky but special in our imaginations. Woods are part of the fantasy of childhood because of the fairy stories. That love protects our Woodlands.' Sarah Maitland, Gossip From The Forest.
Jasper has exhibited his photography at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 2020. A solo show 'Twilight's Path' at MMX Gallery London, and at Photo London 2021, Somerset House. Jasper's photographic work is held in private collections internationally.
For each sale of Jasper's art work The Tree Art Gallery will donate 5% of the commission to the Tree charity Forests without Frontiers.