Trees spirituality by Ellen Jantzen

Forests and trees have played a prominent role in many folktales and legends and have been given deep and sacred meanings. They are seen as powerful symbols of growth, decay and resurrection. I am responding by striving to make visual the ephemeral nature of sacred, spiritual realms.

Trasplanting Reality/Trascending Nature

In my Transplanting Reality/Transcending Nature series, I am transplanting replica trees into the natural world then creating ethereal forms that blend with and supplant the natural environment. One is artificial, the other a spirit form: both represent the transcendence of nature.

Trees teach us about belonging by reminding us that life doesn’t need permission to prevail. They are sanctuaries. If we listen closely, we can learn the ancient law of life. They are seen as powerful symbols of growth, decay and resurrection.

Since ancient times, they have played a prominent role in many folktales and legends and have been given deep and sacred meanings.

 

But, a tree’s longevity can lull us into a false sense of immortality.

It is this very impermanence that I long to understand through my photographic explorations. There is an ineffable natural beauty that is too great to be expressed or described in words.

Disturbing the Spirits

In my Disturbing the Spirits series, I am using imagery to convey my “feelings” about the state of nature and trees and how to express their connection to the past, present, and future. By obscuring a portion of the image through a veil, I strive to heighten the remaining reality through discovery and reflection.

 

Can Artists Heal Nature? As human actions impact the natural environment, can artists heal nature? Does art bring “special powers” to the table? If so, what are they? What is ‘art’? What is ‘nature’? And what needs healing? How arrogant!

 

Disturbing the Spirits deals with both reality and time (past/present/future) and my growing attachment to the healing powers of the natural environment.