drawing
- Museum number
- 2004,0601.49
- Description
-
Ash Dome; loose drawing of wispy tree trunks leaning inward to form a dome. 2001
Graphite and pastel on paper
- Production date
- 2001
- Dimensions
-
Height: 275 millimetres
-
Width: 417 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Label text from 2008-9 Sept.-Jan BM, British Sculptors' Drawings
Nash's prime concern is the relationship between man and nature. His method of working has always been one of direct physical contact with his materials. The work 'Ash Dome' was created in February 1977 when the artist planted twenty-two ash trees with the intention of growing a domed space over thirty years. The trees, planted in Caa'n-y-Coed, Wales have grown into a dome and reflect the gentle rolling hills of the surrounding landscape. From 2001-5 Nash produced a series of drawings of the trees and the domed effect, one of which is exhibited here.
Text from 'Living with art: The Alexander Walker collection' (British Museum Press, 2020):
A loose and delicate drawing of ash trees planted in a circle, leaning in to form a dome-like shape. Nash’s 'Ash Dome' is an work of art that has developed over many years. He began it in February 1977 by planting twenty-two ash trees in a ring measuring 9 metres in diameter at Cae’n-y-Coed in the Ffestiniog valley in Wales. He envisioned it would take thirty years to complete and would require frequent attention to ensure that the trees grew in the required way. Made at a time of national low morale as a result of challenging social and economic circumstances, the work was conceived, Nash has said, as an ‘act of faith in the future’ (Judith Collins, ‘Light, Ash Dome’, in David Nash, 'David Nash: Black & Light', London: Annely Juda Fine Art, 2001, p. 7). This is one of a series of drawings that Nash made of the Dome between 2001 and 2005.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2008-9 Sept.-Jan BM, British Sculptors' Drawings, no cat.
- Acquisition date
- 2004
- Acquisition notes
- Purchased by Alexander Walker from Annely Juda Fine Art, London on 24/7/2001 for £350. Framed on 17/8/01.
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- 2004,0601.49
