Arboreal Art: The Majesty of the Forest
From the happy little trees of pop culture to Van Gogh’s The Olive Trees, trees stand as timeless muses celebrated by artists. Artists explore the majesty of the forest through a kaleidoscope of motifs. Tree Trust recently hosted several guided tours at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), viewing various compositions through a tree-shaped lens. We discussed the art of trees, focusing on material, cultural symbolism, and inspiration. MIA is free and open to the public. Please consider using the following exhibits as a catalyst to explore the vast influence of trees on art.
Trees as Material
Waterfall, Truman Lowe – Gallery 302
Artist Truman Lowe’s Waterfall piece offers a great place to begin. A member of the Ho-Chunk tribe, Lowe’s connection to trees reflects his vibrant culture. Growing up in a family of splint-ash basket makers, Lowe used trees as a material for sculpting. In Waterfall, Lowe assembles long, slim pieces of ash wood to emulate the movement of cascading water.
Gate of Prosperity, Unknown Artist – Gallery 200
The next example of trees used as materials is featured in 17th century architecture. Walking through the period rooms at MIA provides an awe-inducing example of the inherent beauty in woodworking. One stunning example is the Gate of Prosperity. Constructed by an unknown artist in the Shanxi province of China, this gate is crafted entirely from wood. Using the mortise and tenon technique, wooden joints (tenon) are connected through grooves (mortise) structured to fit snugly together. Mortise and tenon construction dates back 7,000 years and is still in use today.
Trees as Symbolism
Money Tree, Unknown Artist – Gallery 201
This money tree has a bronze trunk and branches featuring intricate designs representing coins from the Han period. (The Han Dynasty ruled China from 206BCE – 220CE and is credited for the invention of many artists’ favorite medium – paper.) At first glance, it may appear that money does grow on trees. Upon further inspection, the coins act as vehicles highlighting scenes of important Chinese cultural rituals. This money tree was a funerary artifact created to influence a prosperous afterlife.
Trees as Inspiration
The Olive Trees, Vincent van Gogh – Gallery 355
Van Gogh created a series of 15 olive tree paintings, inspired by their curious shapes and seasonal shifts in color. The Olive Trees on display at MIA showcases autumnal hues of vibrant orange and yellow. This piece was created during van Gogh’s time at a mental health institution in southern France, where he viewed the olive tree grove through his window. It’s common to find pictures and murals of trees in many hospitals and clinics. Just looking at trees can induce feelings of calm and clarity in times of physical and emotional turmoil.
From the expert architecture in each period room to every tree-inspired masterpiece, it’s easy to discover why art needs trees and trees need art. Please consider visiting MIA and discovering more ways trees have and continue to inspire art. For even more fun ways to learn about trees, join us for a lively discussion about The Hidden Life of Trees, by German forester Peter Wohlleben. With certified arborists on hand to answer questions, we will dive into the ever-expanding science of tree communication and social networks.
