Image Credit: Jenni Carter
Artwork information
- Title: Hourglass Tree, 2025
- Artist: Mark O'Ryan
- Location: Hercules Street Parklands
- Material: Recycled steam bent timber
Artist Statement
Hourglass Tree brings diverse fauna habitats into our urban environment. A multi species design that recognises the importance of the GreenWay as a wildlife corridor as well as a transport corridor. Over time, the work aims to support connection in the Inner West community. Connections between people, flora and fauna.
Made of recycled Ironbark wood from buildings of the inner west, this work stands where a Turpentine-Ironbark forest once stood. Vestiges of nature remain in these building materials and this work attempts to recognises its presence, prompting us to consider our origins in nature.
Artist Biography
Mark is a graduate of Sydney College of the Arts, AFTRS and the Jam Factory Centre for Craft and Design. A Masters from COFA brought things together into a multi layered studio of art craft and design operating out of Among The Trees in Marrickville.
Currently studying Conservation and ecosystem management has lead to an exploration of cross species design. A way of responding to habitat loss in our urban environments.
I place an emphasis on recycled building timber recalling the materials’ forgotten origins in nature.
Over time, my practice has formed partnerships with ecologists, artists, builders and communities. Process is collaborative and interdisciplinary, Whatever we build should nurture place and community.
Mark is the recipient of several awards and grants. His work has appeared in many exhibitions, and publications both here and overseas.
Video Credit: Samuel Phibbs
https://markoryan.blogspot.com/