This was the first tree that caught my eye when we visited the local parklands shortly after moving. Its dried and cracked form overlooked us as we spent time in the playground, becoming a home for cockatoos whose squawks would occasionally startle my son, making him gaze up with a mix of awe and suspicion.
The tree’s twisted and weathered appearance resonates with my interest in Eastern philosophy and aesthetics, particularly the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and transience. This interest is also reflected in my choice to frame each tree with bare linen. In traditional Chinese ink wash paintings, the interplay of absence and presence is essential, with negative space evoking the vastness, peace, and tranquility of nature.
Title
A walk in the park (i)
Year
2024
Medium
Oil on linen
Size
153cm x 112cm
Title
A walk in the park (i)
Year
2024
Medium
Oil on belgian linen
Size
153cm x 112cm