Sarah Youngson

Sarah was inspired by the many stories, myths and legends featuring trees. There are written references to a foliage covered face since the second century but the origins reach further back in time. Named the Green Man by Lady Raglan in 1939 he, sometimes she, is now viewed as an environmental guardian.

Sarah wanted to construct a strong visual narrative so decided to make a replica of the book which is open to reveal a tree growing from the page. The contrast between the luxurious book and the natural tree foliage demonstrates the transition from written to visual narrative. The Green Man watches from the tree surrounded by lush foliage and the signs of Spring.

According to the Museum of Play, Once Upon a Time is a ‘useful storytelling convention which connects readers to places that cannot – or can no longer – be experienced in the flesh’. The opening is also widely used in the oral tradition. Sarah wished to create a beginning – the viewer’s imagination completes their own story.