The Sixth Extinction. Gaia, Panel II, The Last Tree on Earth - Limited Edition 1 of 100 Print

This is the second woodcut in the Sixth Extinction series. Panel II, Gaia, The Last Tree on Earth. Again, the series was inspired by Prof. James Lovelock’s Gaia Theory (see Wikipedia Gaia Hypothesis, or better still read his books). This one based on a poem written by the artist a few years ago, The Last Tree on Earth. The theme is the loss of trees and deforestation. It is almost as if we have an urge to tame and destroy the natural environment, as if in our nature, a curse to bare. The tree has the axeman mesmerised for a time but, goaded by the tree, he goes along with his terrible act regardless. The roots of the tree link to our very survival, the child’s umbilical cord fed directly by the tree. To the bottom of the print are spreadsheets, the representations of business plans, on which we rarely see any planetary impact or costings. The large woodcut 1410mm x 1770mm high fully framed and with a non-reflective Perspex cover. The panel is in four parts, each the size of the Albion Press platen on which they are printed. They are cut, glued and joined on an mdf backing sheet prior to framing. The woodcut is from maple blocks which will stand multiple printing passes. Each signed Pictorignotus. The cartouche on the left says Pi (pictorignotus), the one to the right with Japanese wording is Ichi-go ichi-e, which basic translation is ‘This way only once’. Similar to carpe diem. The poem on the print is written by the artist: The last Tree As the executioner approached In the early morning light the victim flinched waved her arms in despair disturbing the shimmering verdurous jacket, her summer attire. The axeman paused to gaze upon his task. A moment to savour the moment such stunning beauty deserved. She seemed to raise herself towering before him graceful in her majesty slowly shedding the emerald mantle till her body laid bare. The assailant gasped never had he seen such beauty nor such naked strength. momentarily he put aside his deceit His head dizzy with this glimpse of Gaia before him. She moved around his senses, seemingly in every place at once. Her fingers caressing his hair, his face, his legs Then she whispered in his ear “Do it! Do it now”. The executioner stirred still affected by her narcotic She whispered again, “Do it now, it is your nature, your curse to bear.” Slowly he lifted the axe, Heavier now, after the caress With great effort he swung to strike but, the first blow glanced askew, as if she had him bewitched. “Do it quickly!” she cried Another swing higher this time the blow hit hard She groaned, he swung again and thrice more, till She was finally felled As the dust cleared, He reeled in shock as he gazed at the dispatch repulsed at his achievement revolted by the act, for which he felt compelled. Yet there she lay resplendent in the dirt a billion years in the making the last tree on earth!

Printmaking:Woodcut on Paper

Artist Produced Limited Edition of:1

Size:56 W x 71 H x 1.5 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.