An Artists Display of the Emerald Ash Borer Devastation
Tree Ottawa has long been saying that we will loose 25% of Ottawa trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer. That's over 20 MILLION trees! A number so high its near impossible to imagine, or visualize. Yes it's 1 out of every 4 trees we see, but what does that really mean in the big picture? How will this effect Ottawa's tree canopy?
Artist Gwen Frankton has been moved by the devastation that the Emerald Ash Borer has been (and will be) having on Ottawa's treescape. Which is not surprising as her work has historically been displaying the lush beauty of trees in nature.
Gwen will have a display of hundreds of miniature tree paintings, including 25% dead Ash trees with a red X spray painted on. This display will truly show the breadth of the devastation Ottawa will see from the Emerald Ash Borer.
There will also be a donations box present and anyone who makes a donation can take one of the little paintings. Gwen will then replace the painting with a picture of a sapling, so that by the end of the evening there should have a message of hope on the walls, lots of little saplings!
Gwen's Artist Statement
"Gwen Frankton’s deep engagement with the natural world profoundly influences her work at all levels. Her larger works in acrylic, watercolour and pen-and-ink are lush and vibrant depictions of trees, plants and the forest floor. Currently – as many Ottawans are – she is moved and saddened by the loss of so many of our ash trees to the emerald ash borer. These lovely trees, which ordinarily have a lifespan of 200 years, are dying with remarkable speed. It is estimated that we will soon lose 25 percent of our urban forest. With hundreds of tiny portraits of Ottawa trees – including leafless ash trees marked with x’s in preparation for their removal – the artist draws public attention to this grave loss and really illustrates what a 25% loss looks like. Frankton’s installation encourages national capital residents to own the problem and plant a tree."
Her display will be at Nuit Blanche this September 19th, a MUST see at this great local event. There will also be a donations box present at the display, and all monies raised will go to Tree Ottawa.
Her display will be located at: The Rectory Art House, 310 St. Patrick Street
Come out to enjoy a lovely night of Local art, amazing culture, and friendly faces!
To learn more about this inspiring Artist, please visit her webpage at: http://gwenfrankton.com/
To learn more about Nuit Blanche and find out http://nbog.ca/