Jilly Sutton

Description

A massive deodar with a trunk 5ft in diameter, which fell on Dartmoor, offered Sutton a rare sculptural challenge.

Cedrus deodara, the Himalayan cedar or sacred Indian fir, derives its botanical name from the Sanskrit word devdar signifying 'tree of the gods'. Trees and tree imagery are fundamental to primitive belief systems - from the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Genesis to Odin's ash and Druid oaks - and their interaction with humankind is a constant feature of civilisation. The human head as the seat of the brain and thought processes, together with the expressiveness of physiognomy, make it the perfect subject for treatment in wood. However, since the long-term durability of wood can never be guaranteed, Fallen Deodar has also been cast in bronze.

This piece expresses a moment of arresting tranquillity, drawing the viewer into quiet contemplation. With this in mind, Fallen Deodar is akin to a monumental death mask, thus imbuing 'fallen' with a specific poignancy.