To celebrate Earth Day at Trinity Western University, artist Dr. Helma Sawatzky created ‘The Poetree Project’ to combine art and nature.
Her artwork consists of thought-provoking words written onto more than 75 recycled cedar fence slats, which are hung by jute twine on tree branches outside the DeVries Centre at the Langley campus.
Sawatzsky said the project could be approached “as a form of participatory action research.”
The words she chose for the project are meant to inspire reflection on the relationships between humans and nature, while also calling for celebration and responsibility.
“The work unfolds a contemplative space in which you find yourself, for a moment in conversation with the ‘more than human world.’ It invites you to participate the trees, the wind, the words, and movement among these parts to create short poems that reflect on our deep implication in, and participation with, the natural world,” Sawatzky said.
Her work was first featured in March as part of a two-day health conference hosted by TWU’s nursing school and faculty of natural and applied sciences. It featured plenary talks and research presentations by faculty and students on topics related to environmental conservation and the health of the planet.
For those who want to visit the display, TWU’s Langley campus is located at 22500 University Dr.
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