“I’m fascinated by all aspects of natural history,” says landscape artist Jordan Walker, “and trees have an amazing way of tying everything together.” In his new body of work, Walker is capturing the grandiosity and enduring nature of trees, from redwoods to junipers to five-needle pines.
Whitebark Matriarch, oil on linen panel, 24 x 36”“Though we often think of them as static, trees stretch their limbs and contort into fantastic shapes over the course of their lives,” he says. “They respond to elemental stressors in unexpected ways, and every twisted branch has a story to tell.”
Walker’s upcoming solo show with Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery is his way of showcasing and honoring some of the most ancient living beings on our planet. “Each tree I’ve painted for the exhibition is not only an example of a particular species but a portrait of an individual,” he says. Venerable,for instance, features a Sierra juniper growing in the highlands of Yosemite National Park. The piece was painted at a low vantage point, accentuating the feeling that the tree is towering above the viewer. “The contrast between red bark and white bones in this juniper species is incredibly striking, and they are known for growing straight out of tiny cracks in the granite hardscape,” says Walker. “The twisted character of this individual tells a story of roots searching for sustenance in a crevice bare of soil and limbs battered by fierce winds. Despite these trials, this weary Krummholz continues to grow, and is worthy of our admiration and respect.”
Natural Arch, oil on linen panel, 11 x 14”
Venerable, oil on linen panel, 10 x 9”
Whitebark Matriarch depicts the Grandmother Tree of Crater Lake National Park, one of Jordan’s very favorite trees in existence. “Whitebark pines are members of the five-needle pine family, a group of pine species that include the oldest trees in the world,” he explains. “This particular tree may have been alive for over 900 years. Imagine the countless seasons she and her siblings have spent clinging to the volcanic crags surrounding Crater Lake, twisted by violent storms, crushed by snow and baked in intense sunlight.
Domain of the Juniper, oil on linen panel, 20 x 16”
These ancient wonders of the high alpine can tell us many stories, but despite their tenacity they are under serious threat of extinction. My hope is that this exhibition will not only showcase the stark beauty of North America’s most fantastic trees, but also encourage people to learn what they can do to protect them.”
Jordan Walker: Deep Time opens October 7 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. and hangs through October 21. —
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