SEVEN lone trees and the Cumbrian landscapes that surround them have inspired a summer exhibition at Grizedale Forest.

The Long View showcases close to two years of work by Kendal husband-and-wife team Rob Fraser, a photographer, and Harriet Fraser, a writer.

On display at the forest's visitor centre, the exhibition introduces the trees and the very different Cumbrian landscapes that surround them, as well as work that develops the couple's ideas, inspirations and collaborations.

Since November 2015, Harriet and Rob have been photographing and writing about the trees in all seasons and weathers, by day and night - the Wasdale oak, Kentmere rowan, Glencoyne pine, Trout Beck alder, Langstrath birch, Little Asby hawthorn and Under Helm sycamore.

The pair have also created temporary art installations at each location, exploring place, journeys, culture and environment.

Although The Long View seems on the surface to be a photographic study of trees with prose and poetry, the exhibition and accompanying book have developed into something much richer.

Harriet and Rob have worked with screen printer Ben Dodge to create graphical interpretations of several of Harriet’s poems and prose. Jamie Chaplin-Brice has developed their Long Walk route into a set of seven timber panels that traces the highs and lows of this trans-Cumbrian expedition. Meanwhile, Simon Atwood, Kate Brundrett and Pete Blaskett have contributed their laser cutting, design and framing skills to produce an exhibition that not only celebrates trees and the environment but also captures the heart of the landscape and the challenges it is facing.

Harriet explained: "We’ve walked miles in all weathers and at all times of the day and night to capture the characters of these remarkably ordinary trees. The seven are a hawthorn, a rowan, an alder, a pine, a sycamore, a birch and an oak.

"Each one stands alone and has survived and thrived in an extraordinary location. The trees and the journeys to them have inspired all sorts of ideas and thoughts and the exhibition is an opportunity to extend that thinking and encourage people to see these trees and the Cumbrian landscape in different ways."

Rob added: "We hope that The Long View exhibition and book will give people an opportunity to pause among the trees that we have come to know so well, and appreciate the value of slowing down and exploring what at first glimpse may seem ordinary but are actually quite extraordinary places."

Hazel Stone, arts development manager at Grizedale Forest, said: "The collaborative nature of Rob and Harriet’s practice and the significance of Grizedale being the first forest for art in the UK seem like a perfect fit, extending our aim to inspire people about art, adventure and nature at Grizedale."

The Long View is at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre until August 31, open daily 10am-5pm and will then be touring to Newcastle, Brighton and Oxford in the coming year. To buy the book, visit www.somewhere-nowhere.com