This is one of those occasions in which social networks have proven to be an extremely positive media: it is in fact mainly through Facebook and Twitter that Art in Healthcare organised a charity exhibition for Trees for Life. Professional and amateur artists from all over the world have generously donated their works, which were on sale for £45 at the Art in Healthcare headquarters last week. 100% of the sales will go to Trees for Life, towards helping replenish the Caledonian forest.

The success of this exhibition was obvious even before it started. The sale was in fact opened online a few days before the launch, and some of the pieces were already marked with a red dot before the opening night. This included the impressionist-style Spring Blooms by Nithya Swaminathan, from Germany, which was among the most popular works for the people who waited for the opening before making their choice. All the pieces were forest-related, but various types of forests were represented: the more classic European works, with the well-known green woods, were very different from the series of paintings by Rukmunal Hakim, from Indonesia, which feature tigers, monkeys and rhinos.

The pieces comprised various techniques and styles: from faithful representations of trees to more abstract or allegorical pieces – and even poems. Lovely jewellery was on sale as well. The works were on a small scale, which made things generally more affordable; however it was noted that some works would have had a much bigger impact on a larger scale. The pieces were displayed in an orderly manner which allowed visitors to easily peruse the display and look closely at them all; although some of them were slightly obscured in dark corners (or in some cases, behind the wine table). Art in Healthcare Executive Director and artist Trevor Jones also had some of his prints on sale, one of which was the first prize of the raffle held on the opening night.

Overall, this exhibition is worth visiting not only because of the quality of the works, but because it proves how powerful art can be when put on display for a good cause.