Where Art and Trees meet

a tree

Adopted from the poem by Klara Kottner-Benigni

Art by tribal artists from India

Published by: Katha

Year of Publication: 2019

ISBN: 978-93-88284-14-1

Price: 195/-

Acknowledgements: Katha

The art work makes make an impression from the cover itself. It is stunning - to put mildly. Richness of the art work matches that of the subject. Nature is vibrant and colourful as brought out by the art work.

 

These images, by 10 different artists, span across distinct indigenous art forms. They bring out, like indigenous art forms do, the interconnectedness of various life forms. From elephants to fishes, they are all there – and look happy to be with the trees. They remind us that human lives too revolved around trees – from food to religion to dance and more. They also convey that when a tree dies it is not just a tree which dies – a lot goes away with it, a lot more withers away.

The art work will make you fall in love with trees and if you are already a tree-lover they will touch you deeper. I read and re-read the PDF version of the book and wished that I had the hard copy to savour and appreciate the art work better.

 

However, as you move further in the book and come across the messages and explanations you wish more time had been invested in these as well. The images are a tough act to follow but the text could surely have been more nuanced and sensitive; lines like ‘please stop bad people from cutting trees’ and ‘. . are highly superstitious tribal people’ could have been avoided. It is time we moved beyond clichés, also time we asked why trees are being cut rather than who cut the trees. You also wonder on the need for multiple messages after such high quality art.

Get the book for the art work!