Tree of Life (sculpture) explained

Tree of Life
Metric Unit:	cm
Imperial Unit:	in
City:	Portland, Oregon, United States
Mapframe:	yes
Mapframe-Zoom:	13

Tree of Life is an outdoor 1964 sculpture by Lee Kelly and Bonnie Bronson, with additional assistance from John Jelly and architect John Murtaugh, installed on the exterior of the University of Portland's Mehling Hall, in Portland, Oregon, United States.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Tree of Life is an abstract metal sculpture depicting of tree with stylized branches and leaves. It is made of nickel silver and stainless steel, enameled blue and green, and measures approximately 54feet x 5feet x 6inches. The Smithsonian Institution categorizes the sculpture as an allegorical representation of life, and says the tree is a "Christian symbol of growth, fruitfulness, spiritual evolution and diversity among unity".

History

The sculpture was commissioned by the University of Portland for the women's dormitory in 1964, and dedicated on November 22.

Tree of Life was surveyed as part of Smithsonian's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in 1993.^[1]

See also

• 1964 in art
• List of works by Lee Kelly

Notes and References

1. Web site: Tree of Life, (sculpture). . . August 6, 2018 . August 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807063502/https://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?&profile=ariall&source=~!siartinventories&uri=full=3100001~!323331~!0#focus . live .
2. Art in your own backyard. September 24, 2014. The Beacon. Alina. Rosencranz. 8. August 6, 2018. February 27, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230227044948/https://issuu.com/thebeacon_univ_of_portland/docs/the_beacon_-_sept._25_-_issue_5. live.