This project was inspired by the xylotheque presently in the collection of Kasteel Groeneveld in Baarn but originally given to the University of Leiden by Louis Phillippe Napoleon around 1805. It was made by Frederick von Schulmbach of Nüremberg and has 144 volumes. At the time this was seen as cutting-edge science so my idea was to use contemporary cutting-edge science to explore present day trees. My xylotheque like the original, is a collection of tree portraits, seeds, branches, leaves and with the addition of the exploration of the diseases that kill these trees, as seen under the (electron) microscope.
Original xylotheque by Frederick von Schulmbach
I worked with numerous plant pathology departments, national parks & botanic gardens on this project. Like all my projects I do my own field work, primary research as well as working in libraries and turning to scientific organisations for help and advice.
I want to thank Dr Ed Liew of the plant pathology department of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, who helped me in the initial stages of this project and it was through his guidance that I started to learn more of the issues that affected the trees I saw around me. He was the first to introduce me to Eucalyptus Dieback caused by phytophtora cinnamoni. Learning about this was instrumental for the creation of the xylotheque.
Phytophthora cinnamomi drawing: watercolour on paper 23 x 100 cm
There are presently 31 volumes in my own xylotheque, each of the books may take up to six months to research. The physical form of the book boxes were based on the original early nineteenth century xylotheque. The drawings are kept folded in the box and expand as leporellos when opened.
A large part of this project was based on field work and physically spending time with trees worldwide. It took several years to create in its entirety. I was awarded two residencies and they enabled me to expand this project. Firstly Weir Farm National Historical Park, CT, USA, a beautiful wooded 60 acre landscape and the former home and studio for the American Impressionist artist Julian Alden Weir. It is presently run by the U.S. National Park Service. Following this I took up a residency with Art Residence Dalen, Drenthe, The Netherlands-my particular thanks to the Sanders-Ten Holte foundation for their support for making this residency possible.
I was later invited to work in Altsasu, Spain in the wooded landscapes of the Basque Country. It was a place developed by the original builders of the San Juan whaling ship in the 17th century, and initially the woods were laid out to be harvested for the production of (whaling) ships. Oak branches were trained to form parts of the ships. With the end of commercial wooden ship building the woodlands became redundant. It became a curious ghost post-industrial landscape. It has recently come to life again with the reconstruction of the San Juan whaling ship by Albaola, Itsas Kultur Faktoria in Pasaia near San Sebastián Spain. The forests are once more in use and the landscapes are tended.
Parallel to this I spent several years drawing trees in the Hortus Amsterdam, the botanic gardens in the city which allowed me to discover a wide ranging selection of trees from their collection. Following this I became the Visiting Artist for Hortus Botanicus Leiden. The botanic gardens in Leiden have an extensive historical collection and it is an inspirational environment to draw in. I remain indebted to them for their hospitality and support.
This project has been created partly with the aid of numerous people who have generously given their time to expand my understanding of trees, tree husbandry and tree diseases. I have to add my thanks to Professor Martijn Rep of the Universiteit van Amsterdam for his generous sharing of his research into fusarium oxysporum. A disease that is presently threatening banana cultivation, particularly in large commercial banana plantations. Equally my thanks to Katy Hayden, Quarantine and Plant Health Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, who sent me further fascinating images and research on fusarium oxysporum.
The xylotheque is a product of artistic aesthetic research and the accumulation of in-depth scientific knowledge to reinforce the factual aspects of this work. It would not have been possible without the generous support of numerous people named and unnamed, my many thanks to you all.