Look! Janet Morton's Lace Covered Tree

Linden in Lace by Janet Morton, 2003

It's easy to see the humour in Janet Morton's artwork. One look at the Canadian artist's sweater for a house or television or this beautiful lace covering for a tree brings an instant smile. But look deeper...

Her work also asks us to take a look at how humans interact with their environment and how we alter and sometimes destroy it. As we wind down garden month and prepare for green month, we're thinking about how our own space, indoors or out, works with our environment, whether it's making a commitment to compost, considering drought tolerant plants, planting a vegetable garden or getting to know our neighbors. For more of Janet Morton's thought-provoking work, click here

Comments (13)

if she's really concerned with the environment then why did she cover the tree in material, which would trap moisture near the trunk making it a breeding ground for parasites and fungi?

posted by rvalexa on June 25th 2008 at 1:40pm
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http://members.shaw.ca/daleandjohn/01.D.html

this reminds me of my good friend Dale Robert's work( originally fr Newfoundland, presently in Victoria BC Canada), all based around crocheting, knitting,and traditional eastcoast net making . He did a show of covered 'found objects' that completely conceal and alter the original items appearance and function!!

posted by bgball on June 25th 2008 at 1:56pm
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It looks more like reminding people that some have far too much time on their hands.

posted by Seaside on June 25th 2008 at 4:02pm
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I bet all the other trees are laughing at this one!

posted by GHB on June 25th 2008 at 4:02pm
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I want to say I like this, but the comments are also point-making. I am laughing too hard. Decorating nature can be ridiculous, it reminds me of the time I gathered an edge of 3" wide lace and sewed it off for a project but decided to try it on my cat first. I doubt this doiliness is trapping anything harmful on the tree trunk. I am not a tree doctor, but I think a ventilated lace doily skin is different than some nylon sheath or even a pair of jeans with a matching denim vest. I think that would be pretty funny. I like the stretch of the imagination with this one though, and still think this tree has gotten dressed up for her wedding and waits for her groom, which is sad. I hope to see an update on this tree in the fall and whether she's been courted by then.

posted by K T G on June 25th 2008 at 4:54pm
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whoa

posted by little flower on June 25th 2008 at 5:44pm
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I think I'll try this, but instead of lace I'm going to use a wood veneer.

posted by superflyguy on June 25th 2008 at 5:57pm
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This tree is alive and well years later and lives on Wards Island, a 15 minute ferry ride from Toronto harbour. There is no evidence that it has been mocked by the other trees or is mourning lost loves. I don't know if the tree now feels nude.

posted by peacelily on June 25th 2008 at 10:34pm
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The dressed up tree suggests to me a female form raising her many arms up the the sky. I like it.

posted by Doris loves art! on June 26th 2008 at 4:47am
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Run away squirrels! Run far far away!

posted by plain jane on June 26th 2008 at 5:19am
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lol @ superflyguy

on a serious note, i hope this doesn't end up backfiring and kill the the tree...

posted by Enamorada on June 26th 2008 at 6:28am
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I guess people must think Christo is pretty ridiculous.

posted by jen_g on June 26th 2008 at 7:43am
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I loves me some Christo and Jeanne-Claude.

posted by Curtis on June 26th 2008 at 8:56am
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