On visiting the exhibition Family Tree Whakapapa: Elin, Madeleine, Sarah and Suzanne Slavik, at the Long Gallery, Pah Homestead, 21 April – 13 June 2021

This exhibition, featuring the collective works of four sisters, portrays trees in their relationships to both the natural and the man-made world.

I was particularly taken by the works of Suzanne Slavik and her Tree of Life series.

Figures 1. – 3.

Decorative painted motifs overlay photographic depictions of brutalised forests and seem to question perceptions of the binate value of trees as merely tradable commodity or picturesque adornments.

The patterned motifs specifically reference ‘Tree of Life’ carpet designs from diverse cultural contexts. The bold, colourful stylised ornamentation brightly optimistic in contrast to the photographically documented depredation of woodlands which rests behind. There is a global commonality in these two themes. Yet these trees in pattern-form endure also; regenerating and passing through different geographies, cultures and timelines.

In this way Slavik (Suzanne), references artisanal techniques from cultural backgrounds outside of her own, and utilises the creative talents of other, unknown craftspeople.

These works therefore belie a simple authorship as they rely, in some part, on a combined archive of artistic practice; like genealogical and botanical roots, these influences entwine and sprout anew.

This unwitting collaborative format is one which continues to intrigue me, and finds preserve within my own art practice.

Illustrations:

Figure 1. Suzanne Slavik Tree of Life: New South Wales, 2020.

Sources: Matthew Abbott, New York Times, A fire in Hillville, New South Wales. Southeast persian Tree of life carpet design , 19th century.

Figure 2. Suzanne Slavik Tree of Life: Yellowstone, 2020.

Sources: Raymond Gehman, National Geographic, YellowstoneNational Park, USA. Kurdish Tree of Life carpet design.

Figure 3. Suzanne Slavik Tree of Life: Nepal, 2020.

Sources: Simon de Trey White, World Wildlife Fund UK, Nepal firewood. Tree of Life design from English embroideredcanvas, first half 17th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.