Terracotta Tree, 2016
in collaboration with Gary Spearin
Terracotta Tree was shown in 12 Trees: Good for the Earth exhibition at The Gardiner
Museum, Toronto November 18, 2016 to January 8, 2017.
Terracotta Tree is made from about 50 stacked, mostly inverted, unglazed terra cotta plant pots and trays. The structure is stabilized by metal rods through the drilled centre holes of the pots and trays. Each of the pots presents its own history: in terms of origin, production methods, and aging from usage. Their placement was carefully chosen by considering the size, shape, contour, textural surface, and colour of each pot and its relationship to other pots and with the intent to create a rhythm of growth.
Terracotta Tree has a yellow glazed topper to accentuate the unglazed pots and as a nod to the craft of clay; the topper is a terra cotta vessel stamped with a clay mark identifying a potter from Leach Pottery in St Ives, England.
