Description
Tree of Knowledge is composed of many threads of dictionary paper interwoven in the shape of a tree.
Using the Japanese technique Shifu for spinning paper into threads, the pages from the Petit Larousse Illustré dictionary were spun into paper threads. To give the threads structure and strength, they were core spun over a fine wire. These threads were then woven and twisted together to create the replica of a tree growing in the artist’s neighbourhood.
Statement
Experimenting with ancient technologies of the textile arts such as spinning, weaving and papermaking is an integral part of my approach to making art. Text in the word textile and expressions such as spinning tales reveal the historical connections between story telling, writing and early textile arts that are still alive today in our words and expressions.
Trees hide in the etymology of words such as library from the Latin liber meaning wood, or in book from the Anglo Saxon word bok meaning beech tree.
Paper, normally the invisible and often ignored surface for writing is my material of choice. It is easy to forget where paper comes from. In this work, I am remembering that paper and books have their roots in the tree.