GARTH FRY

Exposed Knot, 2021
Wood, Glass, Steel, Silicon
58 1/2” x 17 1/2” x 13 1/2”                       
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Trees feel and exhibit stress as humans do.

A tree creates knots or burls, in an effort to overcome trauma inflicted by drought, flood, sun scorch, pollution, insects, virus, fungi and bacteria. Not knowing the exact disturbance or time in which the anguish we are witnessing in this display was inflicted on this primal tree to create this knot holds minor importance, but the fact that this tree survived a challenging moment sheds a glimmer of hope for us as we face the growing challenges of climate change.  We are reminded that nature’s only choice is to mend and survive.

I created this piece with two supporting materials, glass and steel, both crafted to optimize the display of the historic wood artifact. The glass proposes the notion of a window in time to observe and inspect the exposed patterns that exist inside the burl. This glass also is cut to mimic the undulation of the live edge of the wood and elaborates the concept of borders for which this tree once stood to signify.  The steel provides a rigid support to showcase the combined components of wood and glass further emphasizing the warm tones and texture of the aged wood. These materials were managed and manipulated at specific times to utilize California Clear Energy. A majority of the wood was also sanded by hand.

With this in mind, I invite you to investigate the burl extracted from a fallen 325 year old Valley Oak, historically named the Boundary Oak that once flourished in the city of Walnut Creek California and was a boundary marker separating Contra Costa County and Walnut Creek. A neighboring city from where I grew up in San Ramon. A true honor for me to share and participate in this exhibition.

If a Tree Falls: Art of the Boundary Oak