Description
For 45˚37’58.20″ N, -74˚19’02.27″O (The Elm Tree) two copies of a photograph of a large elm tree in a field were printed on large sheets of Japanese washi paper using an inkjet printer. Each of the sheets was cut into vertical strips that were then folded in half. These were woven on a temporary loom. A linen thread was used as the horizontal warp. On one side of the weaving, the tree is a continuous image, while on the reverse side, the strips do not align as expected and the image is distorted. The weaving hangs in space so it can be viewed from both sides. The tree in the work is near La Chute, Québec and the title includes its geographic.
Two versions of this work exist, this one is slightly larger than 45˚37’58.20″ N, -74˚19’02.27″O (The Elm Tree 1) having been created for installation in a much larger venue Turn and Return / Faire et refaire , Prince Takamado Gallery, Canadian Embassy , Tokyo, Japan, 2015.
Statement
The elm was the inspiration for several works on paper and has a special place in my heart. My partner and I would often visit it, just to see how it was doing. This excellent example of the species, like most has a graceful, umbrella-shaped tree form. A solitary elm is often found in the middle of a field – the farmer having chosen to plant around it rather than to cut it down. Many of the species, American Elm have been attacked by disease, so when you find one that has managed to survive, it’s impressive. I see elms as a symbol of art and the artist in society.