IN a beautiful example of recycling meeting art, wood from trees that once graced Sydney’s three botanic gardens for many years will be turned into works of art by skilled artisans from across Australia and beyond.
Treecycle 2016 will run from August 12 – 21 in honour of the Royal Botanic Garden’s 200th birthday celebrations.
The brainchild of Garden’s senior arborist David Bidwell, the project celebrates the sustainable recycling and reuse of some the Garden’s significant trees, which have died naturally, been pruned or felled due to disease.
The wood of 22 species — both native and exotic — has been harvested from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah.
Curators Leon and Ginny Sadubin have engaged 45 specialised makers and artists to create fine works from the wood — some functional, while others are sculptural and decorative.
On show will be chandeliers, clocks, acoustic speakers, musical instruments, model boats, sculptures and a host of other surprises. All works will be on sale throughout the exhibition, with a limited number to be auctioned on the opening night.
“Gardens are dynamic places and at any given time young trees are planted, mature specimens grow old and die, and others require pruning,” said Ginny. “And so the cycle continues.”
“The creations reflect the extraordinary diversity possible when skilled artisans work with such interesting timbers. The result is a very individual response to the workability, density, grain and nuances of colour inherent in each piece of timber.”
All works carry detailed information regarding the provenance of the wood used to create the piece on exhibition.
Treecycle 2016 is organised by Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Garden — a not-for-profit membership-based organisation supporting horticulture, conservation, scientific research and education programs across the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Domain, the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah and the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan.
Proceeds from the exhibition will help Foundation and Friends continue their support of these sites.
Opening Night Event with a Silent Auction
Thursday August 11 (6pm – 8.30 pm)
Moore Room, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Tickets: $55 each. Refreshments included.
General Exhibition
August 12 - 21
10am – 4pm
Moore Room and Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
Entry free
