Wisdom in the Rings - Special Lecture

Textile Artist Lorraine Roy presents
WISDOM OF THE RINGS: The living journals of Trees

Wednesday, May 1 at 12:00. Bannister 110, Laboratory of Tree Ring Research

In person and via zoom
Bryant Bannister Tree Ring Building, 1215 E. Lowell St, Tucson, AZ  85721

Everywhere in the natural world, circles, spirals and rings frame integral structures that support, envelop and unveil animate and inanimate entities. These sinuous forms call to mind the slow rhythm of a heartbeat, the concentric waves of a stone dropped in water, or the meditative effect of walking a labyrinth. They also echo how early memory is stored within our own psyches, perhaps buried but never lost beneath subsequent layers of experience.

In the same way, tree rings record much more than seasonal fluctuations in the life of a tree: they are living journals of the unfolding environment. Artist and horticulturalist Lorraine Roy illustrates the many ways that tree rings tell stories of this endurance and commitment. In this presentation she will speak about how tree rings record a forest's history, the relevance of tree ring research for environmental protection, and the personal and cultural lessons they teach us. The talk will be illustrated with entrancing images from her collections, and discussion of her various textile techniques.

Lorraine Roy Bio

Raised in rural Southern Ontario, Lorraine Roy completed an Honours B.Sc. in Horticultural Science before opting for a professional career in art textiles. Kindled by an early love of hand-embroidery, she eventually learned to ‘paint’ with fabric using her sewing machine. All her work explores connections between art, science and nature, drawing great inspiration from the biology, mythology and cultural impact of trees, classic symbols of our connection with the natural world. Lorraine continues to acquire new knowledge and insights about trees, in order to better address and convey our mutual rich and complex kinship. Although mainly self-taught, she has exhibited and presented widely across Canada and the USA, and is the recipient of several provincial and federal grants.

Lorraine Roy – Art Textiles

www.LroyArt.com   lroyart@gmail.com
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