Jeremy Blincoe & Michael Van Dam

Cloak

2020

Stainless steel chain

320.0 (h) x 250.0 (w) x 80.0 (d) cm

Location: Forest 11 Himalayan Cedar Cedrus deodara

Cloak celebrates the essence of the tree as a being in the natural world which is also wholly connected to other living creatures in nature.

Cloak is situated within the mature Himalayan cedar forest of the National Arboretum Canberra. The sculpture stands elegantly, a ghostly form that echoes the repetitious silhouette of the large trunks of the surrounding forest. The form of Cloak is inspired by old-growth hollow trees found throughout Australia, which sustain thriving ecosystems and are teeming with life.

The sculpture has a presence that is simultaneously heavy yet also has a level of transparency. The stainless steel chain inherently provides both positive and negative space through its looped form. This allows light to bounce off the reflective metal, as well as pass through the gaps giving a beautiful shimmering play of light and emulating the silvery colour of old weathered bark. These material properties provide ideas to reflect on such as; strength and fragility, or past and future. The shiny surface monumentalises and makes new an object that has stood the test of time, a strong and durable façade that still allows light, air and life to continue in it's presence.

In 2020 Jeremy Blincoe graduated from a Masters of Contemporary Art at the VCA, Melbourne. Since 2006 he has held fifteen solo exhibitions including Korea, Switzerland, and New Zealand. He has won prestigious prizes including the Fiona Myer Award at VCA (2020), Brisbane Art Prize (2017), Fisher Ghost Arts Prize (2017), Kaipara Wallace Arts Trust Award (2016), and has work in the collection of Gippsland Art Gallery & Pah homestead.

Dutch/Australian Artist and Stainless steel expert Mike (Michael) Van Dam, born in New Zealand and living in Queensland - Gold Coast Australia and father of two children, creates sculptures made from stainless steel chain.

Visit the Himalayan Cedar Forest to enjoy this sculpture in person. View the arboretum map HERE.