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Trees Are the Seeds of Human Creativity in an Uncanny Series by Ethan Murrow

17 Aug, 2024

This post was originally published on Colossal

“The Surgeon” (2024), graphite on paper, 48 x 48 inches. All images courtesy of Winston Wächter Fine Art, New York, shared with permission

Like the root systems that crawl below the earth’s surface, trees touch innumerable aspects of humanity. From cleaning the air and controlling temperatures to providing food and homes for wildlife, our arboreal neighbors are unequivocally essential to sustaining life.

A new body of work from artist Ethan Murrow (previously) grows around trees and their gifts. Enigmatic characters extoll the monumental plants along with their fundamental contributions to the arts. Paper and wood appear frequently as materials used in various creative endeavors like books, ornately designed furniture, and cellos, drums, and banjos.

Each work begins with a photo in the artist’s studio. Meticulously constructed sets and props root the compositions in reality, while Murrow’s imaginative additions push the pieces toward the surreal. Whether rendered in graphite on paper or acrylic paint on canvas, the resulting works infuse familiar imagery with mystery and intrigue. In “The Alchemist,” for example, a man masked by a wild bouquet presents a sapling atop a book, while the figure in “The Mechanic” appears to vault himself into the air with a bundle of musical instruments strapped to his back.

The works are on view in Twig, which runs from September 5 to November 2 at Winston Wächter Fine Art in New York. Head to Instagram for a glimpse into Murrow’s studio and process.

 

a man sitting on books with a bouquet covering his head holds up a book with sapling sitting on top. the man is in what appears like an art and photography studio

“The Alchemist” (2024), graphite on paper, 36 x 36 inches

a man with a bundle of instruments on his back and a mechanic's uniform jumps toward the sky with water behind him

“The Mechanic” (2024), acrylic on panel, 48 x 48 inches

a tall tree in a forest of cut down stumps hoists a man in a boat with a sapling up to the canopy

“The Nursery” (2024), graphite on paper, 72 x 48 inches

a man on a boat stacked with wood holds two bouquets. his back is turned to the viewer and he faces mountains in the distance. he wears a hat and textured garment

“The Orchardist” (2024), graphite on paper, 36 x 36 inches

a man holding fragments of a wooden structure and trees in a round bundle on his back appears to jump high into the air above a field

“The Butterfly” (2024), graphite on paper, 48 x 48 inches

a man holds a massive balloon on a raft of decorative furniture in the sea

“The Archivist” (2024), graphite on paper, 54 x 36 inches

a man standing on a cliff's edge is covered in pages of books while holding a stack of books. an open book covers his face

“The Treasury” (2024), acrylic on panel, 60 x 60 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Trees Are the Seeds of Human Creativity in an Uncanny Series by Ethan Murrow appeared first on Colossal.

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Australasian Waste Recycling Expo debuts as ReGen at ICC

Australasian Waste Recycling Expo debuts as ReGen at ICC

Australia’s circular resource exhibitors, buyers and thought leaders are set to attend ReGen | Australia’s Circular Resource Expo, taking place on 23–24 July 2025 at ICC Sydney.

The two-day trade event, organised by Diversified Australia, marks the evolution of what was previously known as the Australasian Waste Recycling Expo, a longstanding brand dedicated to resource management and waste reduction for over 15 years.

The rebrand to ReGen reflects the expo’s expanded scope and emphasis on the circular economy, welcoming an array of innovative exhibitors, experts and emerging professionals committed to reducing waste, promoting resource efficiency and fostering sustainable markets.

“At Diversified Australia, we’re proud to produce events that drive positive industry change,” said Ali Lawes, event director for ReGen at Diversified.

“ReGen embodies our commitment to equip and empower industry leaders and practitioners in support of Australia’s ambitious 2035 targets for waste elimination, resource circulation, and pollution reduction.”

ReGen will showcase technical displays, offer vital industry insights and feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

The program aims to help attendees — from seasoned experts to newcomers — navigate their roles in creating a circular economy that keeps resources in use, minimises waste and regenerates natural systems.

As part of its evolution, ReGen will incorporate Circularity, Australia’s original circular economy conference, into its 2025 education program.

Since its launch in 2022, Circularity has served as a platform for industry practitioners to discuss Australia’s transition to a circular economy.

Now integrated into ReGen, Circularity will reach a broader audience, offering free sessions on topics such as circular product design and sustainable waste management — ensuring these critical insights remain accessible to all attendees.

For the last three years Circularity has been proudly presented by Planet Ark’s Australian Circular Economy Hub in partnership with Diversified Australia.

Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling said that integrating the country’s leading circular economy event into ReGen would offer even more impactful opportunities to drive Australia’s circular transition.

“The inclusion of Circularity into ReGen is a significant step forward in promoting circular economy principles on a national scale in collaboration with the waste and recycling industry,” Gilling said.

“At Planet Ark, we are thrilled to see Circularity evolve into a broader platform, ensuring critical conversations about sustainable resource management and circular product design reach more professionals and innovators than ever before. This partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in building a circular Australia.”

The expo’s name, ReGen, represents both the regenerative practices it champions and the generational transformation required to meet sustainability goals.

ReGen invites participants to “Rethink, Redesign, Repurpose, and Renew” as they contribute to a circular and sustainable future for Australia.

For more information and to register, visit regenexpo.com.au

Image credit: iStock.com/izusek

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