10'h x 60'L x 6'd
Broadleaf maple, steel, hardware
Photographed at 47 Gallery, TorontoSuspended in 60 cross-sections, this once termite-ridden Maple tree immediately evokes the visual essence of a fossil. In its presentation, no. 1-60 resonates on multiple levels. On one hand, it hints at a foreboding future where the tree itself has become extinct, preserved within a museum-like environment where visitors can marvel at its grandeur while mourning its absence.
Alternatively, this installation seeks to redefine and honor the natural object as inherently artistic. While traditional art objects are often distinguished from nature, no. 1-60 suggests that a particular perspective reveals even ostensibly untouched natural specimens as works of art. In essence, this piece challenges the notion that artistic creation is solely the domain of human intervention. This exploration delves into material nostalgia and the latent energy within reclaimed materials, inviting viewers to reconsider the inherent artistic value present in the natural world.