Nerissa Ng
Trees

April 6 – May 28, 2000

I have an obsession with trees. The trees that I draw bear the unique perception which has much to do with religion and myself. My parents practice Confucius-Buddhism-Tao, while I converted to Catholicism when I was an adolescent. After my father's retirement, he spent time passing on his knowledge of religion to me. I began to know more about the similarities between these two religions. In both cases, the tree has multiple meanings - root, extension, and eternity. Trees are full of power and strength, peacefulness and comfort. They show "a continuous process of life, ever changing yet eternally the same." (Emily Carr) When my father died three years ago, I experienced what pain really was.

However, the pain that I bore has gradually transformed me into a different person. My personality grows stronger. My mind is freer and my vision clearer. The metaphor of trees pushes me so fervently and I am able to reveal my thoughts in my drawing.

The design and elements in my drawing of trees are mainly determined by my memories of trees, the training of the Chinese calligraphy and the study of both Oriental and Western Art.