Algal/Fungal explores three species of lichen that the artist found on a twig as small as her palm. These are illustrated throughout the book using 3-colour wood engravings accompanied by short letterpress printed texts about the foliose, custose and fruticose lichen types. The imagery sits on the page as if growing on it or from, setting a sharp contrast to the text, balancing each page spread. In addition to the wood engravings, there are images printed off stone and wood, two of the materials found in nature on which these lichens grow. The book talks about the importance of lichen as identifiers of healthy soil, air and climate as well as their multiple uses to humans and animals. Forming an important part of the ecosystem, these life forms are often overlooked.
Unfortunately, due to habitat-loss and urbanisation, lichens are becoming less and less common and certain types are becoming endangered.
