Like every year on National Tree Week I like to do a tree related post. And as it is National Tree Week here in Ireland at the moment, I thought I would mention some 'tree themed' sculptures that I really like.
Ute Lennartz-Lembeck's Weeping Willow tree sweater in Velbert, Germany |
German artist and art teacher Ute Lennartz-Lembeck took up the hobby, also known as "yarnbombing", after seeing the work of others on a visit to Berlin.
Graffiti knitters typically install their stitched creations on signposts, statues, bicycles and any other surface that can serve as a creative display space. And just like graffiti of a more permanent kind, their work can be politically motivated, whimsical, witty or inane. Though they commonly call themselves graffiti or guerilla knitters, some of their works like the Weeping Willow tree sweater is actually crochet.
The tree sweater in Velbert, required 200 hours and 400,000 stitches to complete. |
Being Ute's first project, she decided to work with a tree as it is a symbol of life, its roots, stem and crown are interdependent, one can not live and grow without the other...
Unlike some knitting guerrillas who follow the lead of traditional graffiti artists like Banksy and keep their identities secret, Lennartz-Lembeck has taken on the role of yarnbombing ambassador, installing her creations openly and during the daytime, which often spurs conversation with curious strangers.Ute also has a global project called B-Arbeiten or B-Work.
B-work is a worldwide network of single-word banners, attached to trees, lampposts, letterboxes, in fact anywhere that might catch the glance of passers-by in a bid to get them to reconsider their surroundings.
Ute explains that this is not the work of a single person, but of many people; friends, acquaintances and people who show interest in putting the works into their environment. Ute sends the various banners free of charge to willing accomplices all over the world. There are now over 200 attached 'values', in many places in the world. The work comes back to her in the form of a photo that she in turn, shares with the world the world on the B-Arbeiten facebook page or on her homepage.
Find out more about Ute's fantastic work on her website here.
Above photos courtesy of Ute Lennartz-Lembeck.
Another sculpture I love is this Tree Troll by artist Kim Graham.
The Tree Troll. A huge 12-foot tall troll is built by Kim and volunteers with completely non-toxic materials. |
The sculpture concept |
A troll in the making. Some of the 25 volunteers that helped create the sculpture. |
Since its creation in 2006, the tree troll has been touring many garden shows and local markets. One of the downsides to the troll being made from paper mache is that it cannot be left outdoors. This year Kim is planning a new version that will be made in concrete, which will be permanently located outdoors.
Concept picture for the new concrete tree troll |
Below are a few pictures of some other tree related sculptures I really like.
Heart Of Trees by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Photo courtesy of littlestschnauzer |
Claude Lalanne - "La Pomme de Guillaume Tell" (William Tell's Apple) Photo courtesy of David Pittuck |
Hanging trees by Andy Goldsworthy. Photo courtesy of Dave AKA RoystonVasey |
"Sycamore" by Wendy Taylor. Photo courtesy of malcolm bull |
Joseph Wheelwright’s Tree Figures. Photo courtesy of Elena AKA elalex2009 |
This sculpture, I cannotfind any information about. If you are the owner of the photo or the creator ofthis wonderful work, or indeed know who it belongs to, please email me. |
Photos from previous years National Tree Week blog posts |
Also check out my post on two of Ireland's wonderful native trees, Blackthorn, Shillelaghs and the tree of the fairies, the Hawthorn
There are plenty of events on around the country this week for National Tree Week. To find out what is happening in your area or to advertise your own event, check out the Tree Council of Ireland website http://www.treecouncil.ie/treeweek/treeweek.html
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