Adam Connolly is the proud recipient of the 2009 Ontario Arts Council, Emerging Visual Artists Grant.
Adam’s vision for this upcoming project is to use the city of Toronto’s best specimens of discarded trees to create an outdoor eco-sculpture exhibit. These beautiful old witnesses embody the heritage, history and cultural influences of Toronto’s earliest residents and would naturally become part of an exhibit “rooted” in this rich legacy.
This exhibit will provoke its spectators to interact with each of these eco- sculptures. Our guests will find the carved secrets captured inside the hollow tree by opening a door or peering through a porthole.
The eco-sculptures will encompass drums to beat, delicate carved wind charms and twisted rooted seat for resting viewers.
This Eco-Sculpture exhibit will invite your creative side to celebrate and explore. Coming in 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2008
Second Life For Trees unveils latest eco-sculpture
“Joe nee an shu” (Anniversary Tree)
Port Perry, Ontario
When Adam Connolly started taking the bark off a 150-year-old maple tree in June, he didn’t know that 300 hours later he would be standing beside a colourful Chinese inspired masterpiece. Adam is well known in the Port Perry area for his intricate eco-sculptures that give damaged historical trees a second life as magnificent pieces of artwork. In the past Adam’s carvings have been left in a natural wood state and have a quiet beauty that draws you to touch and explore the original designs – this bold and colourful tree inspires joy and wonder, laughter and awe while still tempting you to come close and caress the incredible array of Chinese animals that grace this tree.
No Sketch needed
Although Adam doesn’t work from a pre-arranged sketch, it doesn’t mean he isn’t prepared. Before the actual carving of the tree takes place, Adam spends hours gently debarking the tree, taking care not to disturb or remove any of the natural lines and folds of the tree. Adam talks with the family to find out about their lives and builds an idea for the project, in this case the images on the tree depict the Moreland family’s Chinese zodiac signs and a special acknowledgement is made to Ray and Marie’s 40 wedding anniversary. It is with the greatest respect for the spirit of every tree that each project is created.
With grinder in hand the tree itself directs his movements and images flow. Inspired by the Beijing Olympics, songbirds, the colourful gardens and the personalities of the Moreland family members; a majestic maple is transformed into it’s second life as a brilliant, matchless treasure.
In order to celebrate the official unveiling of “Joe nee an shu” (Anniversary Tree). The Moreland family has graciously invited the public to a rare viewing of this private family tree sculpture, created by Adam Connolly of Second Life For Trees.
Please join us in the celebration of this colourful eco-sculpture
Location:
Moreland Family Home
156 Cochrane St.
Port Perry, On
Date: Saturday September 13
Time: 11am
Rain Date: TBA
Contact Information
Angela Connolly 905 985 1352
acclan@sympatico.ca
www.adamconnolly.com
Second Life For Trees
Presents
The Public Viewing Of
“Joe nee an Shu”
The Moreland Family of Port Perry is offering a rare opportunity for the public to view a private family tree sculpture, created by Adam Connolly of Second Life For Trees.
A majestic Maple tree still firmly rooted in the ground begins its Second Life as an eco-sculpture.
The Chinese Lunar symbols are captured on this sculpture celebrating the family birth dates and the anniversary of Ray and Marie Moreland.
Inspired by the colour and characters of the ancient Asian zodiac and Chinese Lunar symbols, this sculpture is filled with Adam’s unique flare of lines and vibrant colours defining each symbol.
Please join us in the celebration of this colourful eco-sculpture
Location:
Moreland Family Home
156 Cochrane St.
Port Perry, On
Date: Saturday September 13
Time: 11am
Rain Date: TBA
Adam Connolly – award winning eco-sculpture artist
well known for his community program
Second Life for Trees.
Exhibition October 4 – October 30, 2008
“Every piece of found wood has an Energy, a Spirit and a Story. My passion is to find the essence of the piece…I look at a cedar root, and I see an eagle. I want to set him free…to see him fly. That’s my greatest joy…to release something unexpected from the wood, so that you can see it too.” – Adam Connolly
You are cordially invited to the Artist’s Reception
Date: October 4, 2008
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Kent Farndale Gallery
Scugog Memorial Public Library
231 Water Street
Box 1049
Port Perry, ON L9L 1A8
(905) 985-7686
Be Your Own Designer Show -Adam Connolly, Second Life For Trees.
Thurs April 17 @ 7:30pm
Rogers Television
Check out Adam’s latest feature in Lee Valleys newsletter:
http://www.adamconnolly.com/LeeValley-AdamConnolly.pdf
- Currently featured artist at the Toronto Spring Cottage Show March 28, 29 30 International Centre, Toronto
- If you would like to be a sponsor for the Canadian Museum of Nature Second Life for Trees summer 2008 project, please contact us for further details.
- Adam’s Demonstration Times: 2pm and 8pm Friday March 28, 4:30pm Saturday, March 29, 11:30 Sunday, March 30
