Nearly 30 attendees gathered for our recent Branching Out: Trees in Contemporary Art lecture with art historian Dr. Page Knox, held at the Greenwich Botanical Center, our co-partner for the event. Dr. Knox explored how artists have used trees not only as subjects, but as powerful symbols of resilience, identity, spirituality, hope, and humanity.
From the oak forests that inspired early conservation efforts in France to Vincent van Gogh’s emotional connection with cypress trees and contemporary artists addressing environmental and social issues through tree imagery, attendees discovered how trees have shaped artistic expression across generations. Dr. Knox concluded with the work of David Hockney, whose vibrant paintings celebrate trees as symbols of connection, family, and our relationship with the natural world.
Dr. Knox reminded us that trees can speak about environmental challenges, the passage of time, and the human experience itself.
Read the full Greenwich Sentinel story here.