Last year I spent a great deal of time on the trails (Wellington Park reserve) below kunanyi / Mt Wellington. The photographs taken were mainly of the many tree stumps scattered throughout the park caused either by natural environmental weather or by humans with chainsaws. Also, what grabbed my attention was just how many trees that survived the great Hobart bush fires (see video below this page) that still show their scars from that horrific historical time 1967.
The image above is of one of those trees. I saturated the image sightly then blurred the trees out on the right. This was the start of creating, the Spirit Tree.
Then whilst playing in my sandpit/studio before working on the final outcome the four-grid image below is my way of getting into the right frame of mind, a creative exercise process I have been using ever since working on this form/style/theme/motif shall we say. Then most importantly choosing the background music till completion. Most recently was introduced to the musical band Tonbruket. Albums played throughtout this process was, Forevergreens, Dig it to The End, Masters of Fog and Nubium Swimtrip.
And now below finally the end result combining artwork, photography, collage and digital techniques, “The Spirit Tree”
In just five hours 62 people would lose their lives, 900 would be injured and 7,000 left homeless. Over half a million acres would be burnt and 1,293 homes destroyed in what is now known as the Black Tuesday fires.
Watch video below, Black Tuesday - 1967 Tasmania Bushfires.
Video Source: Bushfire & Natural Hazards CRC
Above are the album covers on the CDs from the band Tonbruket that I played throughout the process creating “The Spirit Tree”. I played them all over and over until I was satisfied with what I wanted to achieve. Should YOU want to hear for yourself this amazing band that inspired me, go to tonbruket.bandcamp.com.
Have to thank Mr Oink here for introducing me to Tonbruket.