The Lemon Tree and Me is a project developed over 688 days where artist John Newling wrote a diary documenting his experience of looking after a lemon tree.

With a lemon tree at the centre of the story, the artist tracks its development throughout the months observing its changes and contemplating humankinds position within nature. The book brings in threads of history, philosophy and essential observations about the future. ‘As a species we have gradually become aware of our place in evolution and are just beginning to make sense of our place in a world of biological complexity. The meaning of life might turn out to be the wonder of life itself. Our purpose beyond survival is to find a better balance in co-evolution with the environment, and in turn safeguard and nurture life, to become expert gardeners of a rich natural inheritance’.