Artwork of the Week: March 31
Brian Kershisnik often plays with a similar theme in multiple paintings, reworking his compositions. Every iteration highlights something new, offering a fresh perspective and a reinterpretation of the story. This can also be done across various mediums, as seen here. Kershisnik’s Planting Trees motif takes on different iterations (like in his paintings Young Immortals Planting the Trees and Young Immortals Planting Trees, or his mixed media artwork Planting the Trees). The number of figures varies across works, but each features a young individual leaning over to dig a hole for a slender and delicate plant. The sculpted version here in Planting Trees invites museum patrons to walk around and view it from multiple perspectives. While many trees blossom only seasonally, Kershisnik has immortalized this arborist’s efforts in a bronze sculpture. Bronze is a material that, unlike a young tree, cannot be easily pruned or uprooted. Here, the young boy does not plant alone, but with the help of another. Her assistance alongside him is also solidified in the sculpture.
Though the subject matter recalls spring gardening, the actions also allude to the thoughts, actions, and habits that we plant and reap. What habits, characteristics, or relationships are you nurturing? What mental and emotional spring cleaning might you hope to take on this year?
Planting Trees will be on view at the BYU Museum of Art until May 3, 2025.
