Trinity
Gao Ge
高歌
Production date
2010-2013
Object Detail
Media
carbonised black locust wood
Measurements
67 x 437 x 80 cm
Notes
Gao Ge’s Christian faith underpins sculptural works made from ancient trees. For Trinity (2010 – 2013) a tree trunk was stripped of its branches and sawn in half. Gao removed a ‘slice’ from one half and carved into it a text, in Chinese, from the Book of Revelation: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’ (Revelations 1:8) In three sections, symbolising the holy trinity, the timber was carbonised with a blowtorch. The original tree was a black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) sourced from northern China, named by Jesuit missionaries in its native North America, who believed it was the tree that helped St John to survive in the wilderness. This resilient slow-growing hardwood symbolises for the artist the tree of life and the strength of his faith.
Accession number
2013.120