A Tree, A Prayer

A gift to comfort and encourage hope and healing, commemorate spiritual milestones such as baptism, first communion, confirmation, or add to Nativity display. "A tree can be a metaphor for strength, beauty and peace - qualities we all aspire to. The prayer is one of hope and healing; about living in the moment. The title is as much a prayer as the sentiment. This piece is very open.The tree can be a symbol of anything that is centering and inspirational. Trees are grounding - a connection to that which sustains us. It could also reference the Tree of Life - a universal symbol in many different religions, both Christian and non-Christian." - Susan Lordi. This figure includes a gift tag with the sentiment 'May you find strength, beauty and peace each day'.

Approx. Dimensions: 14.0cmH 8.5cmW 4.0cmD

Willow Tree

Artist Susan Lordi hand carves the original of each Willow Tree sculpture. Using family and friends as models, Susan tries to capture a moment in time, or express a feeling. Pieces are cast from her original carvings, and then individually painted by hand. Softly washed colours, carved and metal accents, and representative icons of nature mark Susan’s work.

Her figures continue to evolve as she identifies emotions so important for us to convey, and renders them in simple, pure gestures. These art forms beautifully express love, closeness, healing, courage, hope…all the emotions of a life well lived.

The name Willow Tree was chosen to symbolise all that is gestural and beckoning. The figures are columnar in design, like a tree, and often carry natural objects or animals as metaphors for human virtues or qualities…rosemary for remembrance, a bird for healing, flowers for beauty. The sculptures are rendered so as to suggest elegance, simplicity, peace and serenity. Forms reveal their expressions through body gestures only…a tilt of the head, placement of the hands, a turn of the body.

Emotions are left to the viewer to discern, which makes them personal and powerful. ‘Willow Tree is not necessarily a likeness, it’s a way of conveying emotion…a reminder of someone we want to keep close, or a memory that we want to touch, or see.

I hope that people can recognise subtle expressions or gestures of those they love, and from that, be able to select pieces that are uniquely meaningful for them.’ Susan Lordi