Family tree is a project that explores my personal connection to trees and the intimate role they play in our lives, providing a calm and solace. Woodland has been a significant haven in my life, with many of my happiest memories being family trips to the woods. Due to this, my project is particularly focused on the theme of family and connection. Research into the ‘Wood Wide Web’ led to the discovery that forests are much like families themselves, with trees communicating and exchanging nutrients through an underground ‘social network’. Development of my forms and ideas was also inspired by visits to natural sites of interest including Puzzle-wood and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. My final body of work consists of four sculptures, each symbolising a different member of my family through a different part of the tree. ‘Roots’; Mother, ‘Bark’; Father, ‘Branches’; Sister, ‘Leaves’; Me. The pieces were hand built, creating natural forms and textures that are evocative of trees. These were then smoke fired using the traditional methods of raku and saggar, which incorporate smoke and natural materials in the process, allowing nature itself to create tone and leave its signature.