Tree of Life (2019-2020) | Odette Farrell

Tree of Life

(click on image to navigate)

2019

The paintings and sculptures you are about to see next, address the imminent threat that our ecology is facing today. I am very enthused by the majestic Ginkgo Biloba tree and the fact that this beautiful living fossil has been on earth around 270 million years and now I was shocked and sad to realise that it is facing extinction after being resilient since the time of the dinosaurs.

I believe that art has the special ability to speak to us in ways we are not even aware of and that this power that art has will make a more lasting impact on people, because art supersedes language and rationality through its immediacy.

ODETTE FARRELL

Chernobyl

Wood, paint, ceramic & wire
120 x 25 cm
2019

This piece is inspired by life emerging again from the cracks of broken systems.
Many years after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, scientists have found that many species facing risk of extinction have moved to the area attracted by the absence of humans.

For these works in particular, I work with materials I found or that were given to me, like this beautiful rotten piece of wood, which incited me to make this piece.

ODETTE FARRELL

Ginkgo

Oil on canvas
123x153cm
2019

The Ginkgo Biloba tree is considered a living fossil. I have found an incredible source of inspiration from this amazing creature.
There was a time, 270 million years ago, during the Jurassic when Ginkgos were widespread throughout the world. Its resistance makes some ginkgos to be more than 2,500 years old and in Hiroshima Ginkgos, though charred, were some of the few living beings that survived the blast and were soon healthy again.
Today Ginkgo is listed as an endangered species. Its distinctive duck’s foot leaves inspirited this and many other paintings.

ODETTE FARRELL

Turquoise gladiolas

Wood, ceramic & wire
2019

ODETTE FARRELL