The Tree of Life, 2019 - Rare Jarrah Burl Foyer Table with 24K Australian Gold
Environmentally sustainable, ethically and locally sourced, handcrafted Jarrah Burl Foyer Table embedded with 24 Karat Australian Gold and coated with glossy resin. A strikingly powerful statement about the destruction of Earth’s life and the perilous future of Australian forests. This work of finely tuned craftsmanship embodies the colossal magnificence of Jarrah trees and Australian tree species found nowhere else on our planet, and may soon be found nowhere at all. The western ideal of money equating to success in life has overshadowed the prospect of environmental protection and world betterment; overtaken by shiny metal with materialistic value. Yet, trees are the foundational pillars of life on Earth: they are more valuable than gold. This eco-art was crafted by local West Australian, Perth-based Artist, Delon Govender.
"The Tree of Life", at first glance, is an incredible visual statement piece. However, upon closer inspection, this work of art reveals great depth with emotional overtones that bring into sharp focus our actions and viewpoints, the blind eye that we turn; how what we say contradicts our actions in regards to the natural world...
A truly impressive piece of finely crafted wood furniture, the table separates into 2 pieces: the tabletop is Jarrah burl with a natural edge and the base is an unsmoothed lock-in Mallee root stump.
At the heart of the Jarrah burl sits continent Australia overlaid with 99.99% pure 24 karat gold Australian banknotes, sourced from the Macquarie Mint. Gold pigments and 24 karat gold foil fills the natural wood grain of the burl tabletop. Connotative words that come to mind when we think of "Gold" include treasure, opulence, accomplished and strong, charming. It's known to be linked to the sun, light and is thought of as being the "heart of the earth".
This piece has been aptly titled "The Tree of Life"; trees are one of our most precious natural treasures that we depend on for our very existence. They are a universal symbol of strength and immortality, they are sacred to all oxygen dependant lifeforms on this planet.
Trees are intelligent life forms that can communicate amongst their own - imagine the terror within their communities when mans lopping, grinding, wood chipping machinery is set upon their communities. Visualized on the outer natural edge of the burl are personified screaming faces of trees experiencing the sheer terror around them - the facial expressions are very much reminiscent of Edvard Munch's painting "The Scream", 1893. Munch said it very well - “I felt a loud, unending scream piercing nature…”
Gold and trees are used as analogies... they are both precious, and yet, one is held in the highest regard while the other is being destroyed daily.
Burls bring forth the extraordinary and the magnificent - they are unique, rare and prized for their beauty. This jarrah burl has exquisitely smooth and gentle curved patterns that swirl like ocean currents. The jarrah burl and mallee root stump were ethically sourced from the wood salvage experts at Fremantle Timber Traders in Western Australia, and have been taken beyond the world of fine furniture - this is a work of art By Delon.
Table Dimensions
- Diameter of Jarrah tabletop: ~71cm - 75cm
- Height of Jarrah Burl table: ~52.5cm
This is available for purchase - POA (PRICE ON ARRANGEMENT)