The Generosity Plates

'The Generosity Plates' by artist John Newling is an intervention in the Wellcome Collection cafe and foyer. Newling takes the Moringa oleifera tree, often called the miracle tree or famine tree, as a means of exploring our relationship with ecology and the values immanent in nature.

On display in the foyer will be nine pressed and framed Moringa trees that Newling originally germinated in December 2010 at Nottingham Contemporary, and a new set of young trees growing hydroponically. A collection of plates, featuring images of the trees, has been produced specially for the use of customers in the Wellcome Cafe.

Also included are recent works made from pressed Moringas, whose roots and branches form shapes reminiscent of letters or symbols. These the artist has gilded, so that the trees enter their final transformation into a series of 'Charm Language' bracelets.