Trees in Art - Hardcover

by Rachel Taylor (Author)

A thought-provoking visual exploration of the arboreal world, this generously illustrated gift book explores one of the most enduring and beloved subjects in art, exploring trees' cultural significance and how their imaginings have reflected changing attitudes toward ecology and environmentalism

"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way." --William Blake&

A thought-provoking visual exploration of the arboreal world. Full of life and beauty, trees are one of the most enduring and beloved subjects of art and have provided a rich source of inspiration for some of the most important artists of the recent past. From cave art and historical landscape painting to land art and contemporary environmental interventions, artists have used trees to communicate ideas that extend beyond the natural world and reflect on broader issues facing humanity. Indeed, in our advanced moment of climate crisis, the tree has taken on potent significance as a symbol for the natural environment. Trees have also provided the material for a range of artistic practices: wood for sculptures, bark and paper as a support for drawings and paintings. Showcasing a wide range of works from around the globe and across time, this gift book will explore the tree as seen through the eyes of modern and contemporary artists. It will address the ways 20th and 21st century artists have depicted trees and their cultural significance and explore how these imaginings have reflected changing attitudes toward ecology and environmentalism.

Author Biography

Rachel Taylor is an independent curator and writer. She was previously a curator at Tate Modern, where she worked on exhibitions as well as supporting the development and presentation of Tate's international collection of modern and contemporary art. As head of exhibitions at Victoria Miro, she worked with an extensive range of artists and artists' estates on exhibition and publication projects.