A year ago my artist daughter was approached by Coombe Abbey to be part of their art in the natural environment project. This is her response
'As organic being we live and inhabit within a physical space, which supplies us with information. As glorified sensors, we manipulate and change this space accordingly to our will, needs and desires. Zion is self-reciprocating documentation of the artist's experience of Licky Hills; allowing a visual diary of the unconscious effect of the park upon the artist, and conversely-the artist's affect upon the park, in a somewhat symbiotic way' (Artist statement)
'From the moment I encounter the tree, it affects me and I affect it (by drawing), then our futures are entwined! Hence the linking of the circles and squares and the 'growth' aspect- representing the possible ways the entwined futures could progress' (Artist response)
This is one of the trees a year on. The artists marks have become one with the tree, part of its DNA & history, new bark has grown, old has been shed & disappeared either into dust or taken to be sold on ebay!
How do I feel about this? I sit on a fence. I find this image both beautiful & inspiring & disturbing. Others have added their marks to hers, but no-one has defaced the tree, no one has defaced her marks, they are blatantly added or secretly added names & scrawl. Natural graffiti
Remember she was invited to this project
What do you feel?
The trees were not damaged, within a few years it will all have vanished.
I guess it is the modern version of carving hearts and your name into the tree. This is much less invasive, not at all, and done with a great deal of thought. The artist is putting something of themself into a partnership with the tree. I think it is quite something.
ReplyDeletel think is beautiful and also l have done something very similar in Richmond Park!xlynda
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