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The Tree of Humanity represents shared history and branches represent diverse cultures. The tree's leaves and fruits represent our achievements, nourishing us through collaboration and respect, and creating a world where everyone can flourish.Label
"Tree of Humanity tells the story of African American history through the tree of life,
revered in African traditions as the magnificent baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) and
an icon of the African continent. With bark and fruit offering over 300 life-sustaining
uses, it is the root of many Indigenous remedies, traditions, and folklore. Hence its
literal nickname, The Tree of Life.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, the Oak Tree (which is my depiction of the tree
of life in my local region of the USA) stands strong as a testament to faith, hope and
determination though its roots are seeped in the blood of ancestral slavery.
In Africa, people worship the trees and the forests because they believe the spirits of
their ancestors live on in them. Trees that are considered sacred are often highly
manicured and sculpted, and provide a sheltered place where community gatherings
can be held, such as dances, rituals and court sessions.
I grew up under the oak, the evergreen, the redwood and cedars. These trees gave
me courage, inspiration and peace. This painting is a tribute to the many cultures that
revere the tree as the being that gives life to all things; the soil, the water, the animals,
the sky, the air, including the trees around them."