Artist: Elmari Steyn
Unique State
Print size: irregular
Paper size: 76(h) x 56(w)cm
Medium: multiplate etching, aquatint and chine-collé, hand colouring with 23k gold leaf
Price: $2,100 framed
Artist’s statement
Arboretum Adrift relates the moving story of a sprawling old tribal tree that stood proud at the edge of the Grandfathers Woods. Here, under its vast canopy, with dark times approaching, the tribe promised not to leave the tree behind. Gradually, they dug a deep trench around the tree; a strong- boat was built around the roots and with a deep keel to hold the earth and the tree’s memories within it. Then, with the early summer rains breaching the river bank, they launched the tree into the slow stream and let it drift down to the sea, where they lashed a sail to the strongest branches and set a course due north to their new home.
