Description
abrokentreewavingwithnumerousgreendragons, 1980
Lithograph AP Little Egypt Enterprises
Unsigned (what’s the reason for this?)
15 x 22 in. (image)
20.75 x 27.5 x 2 in. (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity from ArtTrust
The etching “abrokentreewavingwithnumerousgreendragons” presented in this collection of etchings invites the viewer to engage in a multidimensional experience that transcends traditional interpretation. Each piece, through its distinct composition and intricate details, unfolds a dialogue between the seen and the unseen, the temporal and the eternal. These works echo the philosophy of Zen, suggesting that enlightenment is not an end but an ongoing journey, an unending process of becoming. Through an interplay of shapes, lines, and subtle textures, the art evokes the hexagrams of the I Ching, serving as a mirror for the contemplative mind to encounter its own reflections.
The piece depicts a tangled network of branches, interwoven and chaotic, yet forming a singular, unified structure. In Zen, this can be seen as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all life—each branch representing individual paths that converge in the totality of existence. The moon above symbolizes illumination, a sudden flash of insight in the midst of confusion. Here, nature’s wild, untamed green dragons act as a reminder that enlightenment is not about imposing order on chaos but recognizing the inherent harmony within it.
This image could resonate with the hexagram “Chien” (Hexagram 15), which signifies humility. The twisted branches, struggling against the night sky, convey a groundedness despite their elevated reach. In the I Ching, humility is a virtue that aligns one with the Tao, allowing for the flow of energies without resistance. The moon, casting its soft light, enhances this reading by suggesting a balance of yin and yang—darkness and light harmonize, just as the branches find balance between growth and decay.
Combining Zen and I Ching interpretations, this artwork illustrates a journey of transformation where the natural chaos becomes a path to higher understanding. The twisted forms mirror life’s complexities and challenges, which must be navigated with humility and mindfulness. The illumination provided by the moon offers clarity, not by dispelling the darkness, but by coexisting with it. This suggests that enlightenment is not an escape from the world’s entanglements but a deeper immersion in its unfolding.
The use of line work and textural density in this piece recalls the etching techniques popularized during the Renaissance, when artists like Albrecht Dürer used meticulous line detail to convey depth and emotion. However, the surrealistic arrangement of nature, coupled with an abstract approach to form, also nods to the 20th-century movements of surrealism and expressionism. The work appears to straddle different eras, bringing together classical technique with a modern sense of abstraction. This bridging of art historical periods mirrors the theme of interconnectedness found in the visual content itself.
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From the series Scrapbook, an edition of six pages and cover of individual prints by dry point etching from Little Egypt Enterprises.
“Scrapbook” was featured in his Yes Retrospective and in Sandra Jensen Rowland’s monograph, Bob Bilyeu Camblin – An Iconoclast in Houston’s Emerging Art Scene.
Reproductions of this drawing are available in multiple sizes!
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This artwork is available with a non-fungible token to ensure traceability and transparency of provenance.
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