Croydon residents were invited to step into a world of trees and sound as CANOPY arrived at Queen’s Gardens during Croydon Harvest on 3 and 4 October 2026. The immersive art installation transformed the garden into a creative space filled with suspended seed pods, each offering visitors a chance to listen to stories inspired by nature, trees and the local community.
Discover the Sounds of CANOPY
Created by artist Lorna Rees, CANOPY featured 16 suspended structures known as ‘sonic seed pods’. Each pod contained its own audio experience, which visitors could hear while standing underneath it. The installation invited people to pause, explore and discover different perspectives on the relationship between people and trees.
These recordings included stories about urban trees, hopes for future forests and the work of people protecting woodland. Rather than simply looking at an artwork, visitors could become immersed in its sounds as they moved through the garden.
The People Behind CANOPY
One of the most distinctive features of CANOPY was the number of people involved in bringing it to life. Across the wider CANOPY project, Lorna Rees collaborated with more than 500 contributors, including ecologists, artists, folk musicians, writers and children, who shared their experiences and connections with trees.
The project also featured a spoken-word piece by Croydon writer John Grindrod, created especially for CANOPY. The work brought together different voices and experiences, celebrating the importance of nature and the people who help care for it.
Celebrating Nature and Community in Croydon
CANOPY formed part of Croydon Harvest, a free autumn festival celebrating the borough’s heritage, creativity and community. Alongside live music, performances, crafts and family activities, the installation offered visitors a different way to connect with nature.
For one autumn weekend, the suspended seed pods gave people a reason to slow down in Croydon town centre. Through sound and storytelling, CANOPY offered a fresh perspective on the borough’s green spaces, reminding visitors of the connections between people and trees.
