Yan Wang Preston: Memory Keepers

Artist and photographer Yan Wang Preston presents a new body of work inspired by a 300 year old sweet chestnut tree at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford.

Commissioned by the University of Salford Art Collection with RHS Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery, artist and photographer Yan Wang Preston was appointed the first ever artist in residence at Salford’s RHS Garden in November 2024. One of her first discoveries was the oldest tree on the site – an ancient sweet chestnut. This exhibition explores the intimate relationship that unfolded between the artist and this single tree during her residency.

Included in the exhibition are 300 stories written by the public – inspired by the 300 years lived by the tree – alongside a stunning range of images which together convey the scale and lifespan of this magnificent tree.

The exhibition also includes work created with socially engaged photographer Liz Lock and Salford Youth Service.

Memory Keepers is part of OFFSHOOT, a collaboration between University of Salford Art Collection, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The partner exhibition OFFSHOOT: Artists in Residence is at RHS Garden Bridgewater until 28 February 2027 and includes two further bodies of work made by Yan, as well as displays by communities working with socially engaged photographers Anoosh Ariamehr and Fiona Robinson.