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 FARRELL

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  • Tree of Life (2019-2022)

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    Tree of Life
    Tree of Life
    (click on image to navigate)

    2019-2022

    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, a living fossil that has been on earth around 270 million years, since the time of dinosaurs and it is humanity's first conservation project.
    Chernobyl
    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
    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 Permian period 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
    Chernobyl stool
    Chernobyl stool
    Wood, ceramic, paint & wire
    2020

    Another Chernobyl inspired piece. I like to give back dignity to objects that people throw away.



    ODETTE FARRELL
    Autumn Ginkgos
    Autumn Ginkgos
    Oil on canvas
    82x101 cm
    2019


    The distinctive duck's foot shape ginkgo leaves in autumn are covering the blue city. This ia a reality in some cities. Ginkgos were almost lost to extinction, but thanks to humans, they are spreading across the planet again.


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Chernobyl frame
    Chernobyl frame
    Wood, ceramic, paint & wire
    2020

    Another one of my many Chernobyl inspired sculptures. Many years after the nuclear disaster scientists have found that many species facing risk of extinction moved to the area attracted by the absence of humans and bloomed.
    For this sculpture in particular, I worked with this broken piece of frame that I found along the canal, while walking towards my studio.
    I like to give dignity to objects that people throw away; recycle them and convert them into art pieces. The flowers were made from pinched clay and hand glazed.



    ODETTE FARRELL
    Pembroke Dock Ginkgo
    Pembroke Dock Ginkgo
    Oil on canvas
    76x86 cm
    2020


    This painting was inspired by the Pembroke Dock Ginkgo in Wales. The painting was selected by Wales Contemporary and it is exhibited in Wales on year 2020 and in London (Oxo Tower) on year 2021.

    ODETTE FARRELL
    Turquoise Sprouts
    Turquoise Sprouts
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2019


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Sun Ginkgoes
    Sun Ginkgoes
    Oil on canvas
    80 x 70 cm
    2020


    In this sort of abstract painting a happy yellow colour is predominant on its distinctive duck's foot leaves.
    Colours appeal to emotions.
    I'd like to express the solar energy spreading life through the characteristic Ginkgo leaves.


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Fragile branch with roses
    Fragile branch with roses
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2020

    A fragile branch growing in a depleted soil -notice the extractive holes in the base- still manages to give us roses. But, for how long?


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Carnivorous flower
    Carnivorous flower
    Ceramic
    2020

    ODETTE FARRELL
    UNbleaching
    UNbleaching
    Oil on canvas
    70 x 140 cm
    2020


    This sort of abstract painting is depicting a white coral reef that is recovering its colours as our sight travel the painting from left to right.


    ODETTE FARRELL
    The book of earth
    The book of earth
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2020


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Rosa branch
    Rosa branch
    Wood, ceramic, plaster & wire
    2019


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Renaissance
    Renaissance
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2020


    ODETTE FARRELL
    METEORITE LILLIES
    METEORITE LILLIES
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2019


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Yellow Ginkgos
    Yellow Ginkgos
    Oil on canvas
    153x123cm
    2019
    SOLD


    For most creatures the attraction humans have for them has been a fatality, like rhinos horns and elephants ivory. Ginkgo is the antithesis of this, it was just about to be almost extinct, when it charmed humans and it spread across the planet again. This makes Ginkgo our oldest conservation project. Inspiring, isn't it?


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Chernobyl Roses
    Chernobyl Roses
    Wood, ceramic & wire
    2019


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Amazonian carnivorous
    Amazonian carnivorous
    Ceramic
    2020


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Rainforest triptych
    Rainforest triptych
    Oil on canvas + 24K gold sheets
    90 x 180 cm
    2020

    Men are always looking for gold, when there is nothing more precious than the leaves of a tree.

    ODETTE FARRELL
    Bahlam tale
    Bahlam tale
    Wood & ceramic
    2019

    To create this piece I was inspired by the beauty of the Maya hieroglyphs, the famous Mexican Talavera pottery, and Bahlam (the jaguar), which is now in danger of becoming extinct.

    Bahlam is the jaguar God, who protects individual communities against external threats. Ironically, the protector is the one currently in danger. The main threat to jaguar populations is the unprecedented deforestation of their habitat. Both in Mexico and in the Amazon, unsustainable destruction of its natural habitat is worsening the jaguar’s critical situation. 

    Some of the tiles I used for Bahlam Tale are intentionally broken at the bottom. This stands for the imminent precarious position of this magnificent being.


    ODETTE FARRELL

    Chernobyl door
    Chernobyl door
    Wood, paint, wire & ceramics
    2020


    This is in one of my most elaborated Chernobyl pieces with more than 100 different hand made ceramic flowers


    ODETTE FARRELL
    Spring Ginkgoes
    Spring Ginkgoes
    Oil on canvas
    102 x 72 cm
    2020





    ODETTE FARRELL
    Strawberry Ginkgoes
    Strawberry Ginkgoes
    Oil on canvas
    77x87cm
    2020





    ODETTE FARRELL

    © 2023 by Odette Farrell