Barked introduces a world where art and nature intertwine, where the majestic beauty of the world's oldest and largest trees is captured. Our work strives to preserve and protect the beauty, myth, and magic of the natural world. We are the trees.

The BARKED project began with architect and artist Robert Ouellette's investigation into biomimetics. Robert led the global Zerofootprint Re-Skinning Prize under Founder Dr. Ron Dembo. The Prize celebrated innovative, world-changing ways to insulate existing buildings to save energy. Since tree bark is a natural, insulating "skin", Ouellette started documenting the world's longest lived trees to better understand their evolutionary success. Over time the project changed from a focus on utility to a focus on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual benefits trees and forests offer us.

How do we select the trees?

BARKED project trees are the oldest, largest, and/or most unique trees in distinct regions of the globe. Many are threatened by a changing climate. Their legacy is irreplaceable. So far, our search for trees has taken us to Canada, the US, Australia, Mexico, Thailand, France, England, Scandinavia, Lebanon, Singapore, Japan, and Morocco. The next expedition will be to southern Africa.