An environmental artist from Harrogate is set to appear on long-running BBC programme ‘Gardener’s World’ next week.

James Owen Thomas is an environmental artist who turns unwanted material into something creative and unique.

And the 21-year-old has revealed that he will be appearing on Gardener’s World alongside presenter JJ Chalmers next Friday (16th September).

Revealing the good news via his blog, James said:

“The events of this week will stay rooted in my memory for a long time!

“It was an exciting experience and luckily I was given an idea in advance of the sort of questions to prepare for.”

James Owen Thomas filming with the BBC for the upcoming programme.

James spent the day filming at Fishpond Wood in Bewerley, where he has now been made the Artist in Residence by owners Peter and Michelle Brambleby.

He added:

“I described how trees appeal to me because of their colours during all the different seasons.

“I feel inspired by the textures and abstract shapes of trees, their gnarled roots and the way their branches spread.”

Pictures have always played an important part in James’ life as a means of communication and expression, after he was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.

His art aims to highlight issues of the environment and single use products as he turns things discarded by others into a medium for expression.

James said:

“Visitors will be able to see some of my art on display at The Hexagon study barn In Fishpond Wood and I am looking forward to leading a series of workshops to be organised there.

“I will be pleased to share my ideas with them on creating art from recycled materials and hope they will take inspiration from the special woodland surroundings.”

Gardeners’ World is a long-running BBC programme about gardening, first broadcast on 5th January 1968. The 2022 series is the 53rd.

The programme will air on BBC Two on Friday 16th September at 8pm. The show will also be made available on BBC iPlayer after screening on television.

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