"The Sovereign Forest" is an enquiry into an understanding of crime, politics, human rights and ecology in a constellation of moving and still images, texts, books, pamphlets, objects, and seeds.

Artist and social activist, Amar Kanwar is renowned for his compelling and meditative filmic essays, which evolve from documentary practice and explore the political, social, economic and ecological conditions of the Indian subcontinent. His multimedia works question the validity of historical ‘facts’ without human stories and poetry becomes a subtle but powerful force. Having journeyed through distress and dislocation, the works of "The Sovereign Forest" frequently return to the natural world and the implication of its ability to nurture and heal. Kanwar points to possible routes by which we can navigate.

The exhibition debuts a new element of "The Sovereign Forest" and a commission by the artist especially for YSP. "The Listening Benches" are Kanwar’s first sculptural objects for the open air, sited around YSP’s Bothy Garden, a place for rest, pause and contemplation overlooking the 18th century Bretton Estate.

Amar Kanwar -