The Last Tree (Always Ask the Man with a Dog)
Thursday, 18 June 2026 18:00 – 20:00
Tracing the story of an arboretum planted by Suffragettes, and almost forgotten by history.
Book a ticket
‘Tracing the story of an arboretum planted by Suffragettes, and almost forgotten by history.’
This is an in-person event only. There is no live stream.
(The talk will be followed by a drinks reception in our historic library, where a paid bar will be available.)
https://members.linnean.org/events/69eb861d82d942000884ca60/description
In the early 1900’s an arboretum was planted in the grounds of Eagle House, Batheaston, the home of Linley and Emily Blathwayt. The house welcomed suffragettes newly released from Holloway Prison to recuperate after brutal treatment. Each suffragette planted a tree to commemorate their courage and commitment. Around fourty six trees were planted. In the 1960’s the arboretum was razed to the ground to make way for a housing estate. One tree survived – a Monterey Pine planted by Rose Lamartine Yates.
Six years ago, in a moment of pure serendipity, Elaine found the last tree and it began a quest to tell a story that spans nature, culture, feminism and art.
This fully illustrated talk will show how an artist engages with both the natural world and the political world – telling a story that is as relevant now as it was then.
Elaine Duigenan is an artist whose work is concerned with contemporary ‘Still Life’. Subject matter is found or made. Underlying the artistic investigation is a well researched story. Elaine has an expansive international art career and is a Linnean Fellow. She has a special interest in collaborating with museums and collections and is currently collaborating with arborists at Kew Wakehurst and is artist in residence at Bedgebury National Pinetum. Elaine’s work is shown by Klompching Gallery (NYC) and England & Co (UK). In late 2009 one of her images was flown to The International Space Station on Shuttle Atlantis.
https://members.linnean.org/events/69eb861d82d942000884ca60/description