Among the trails I bike around Round Rock, Memorial Park along Brushy Creek often gets me to stop. Sometimes it’s the wildlife I see along the creek, and sometimes it’s a new piece of artwork the city has unveiled.
The newest addition is a tree sculpture called the Tree of Life (also called the Tree of Light), created by the collaborative artist duo Travis Seeger and Foster Talge. Its metal trunk and branches rise over the park vista, and its canopy of hanging strands shimmers during the day and glows after sunset. I had photographed it before, but yesterday I went back to enjoy it as the sun began to set and take a few more photos.
When you stand close and look up, you see an intricate system of metal branches holding countless strands of bead chain hanging down like the drooping limbs of a weeping willow. In fact, a willow was the first image that came to mind when I saw it. The chains also remind me of the pull chains on ceiling fans, the ones we tug to turn on the light or change the fan speed. It’s the same kind of chain, only here the beads are noticeably larger.
This sculpture is a great place to experiment with light and composition. As I was getting ready to leave, I walked around it one more time to frame the setting sun in the sky above. The chains were beginning to catch the warm light around me, turning the whole canopy from silver to gold.
I really like the idea that Round Rock spends money to showcase artwork in city parks and plazas. I took all of these images with my Samsung S23 phone.
That is the story behind the shots. For more like this, enjoy these related stories: Cellpic Sunday, Landscapes, Memorial Park, Parks, Round Rock, Texas, Tree of Life, and Tree of Light. Until the next shoot, keep chasing the light and the wonders it reveals.
- Posted for John’s Cellpic Sunday.
- City of Round Rock, Public Art — https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/residents/arts-culture/sculptures/
- Seeger & Foster, About — https://seegerandfoster.com/about
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Anita
What a fascinating piece of art, Egidio! I like how you’ve captured the sculpture from different angles, especially the way the chains catch the golden evening light. A very creative subject to photograph!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for your comment, Anita. I was mesmerized when I first saw this sculpture. Every angle and light offers a different view.
solaner
wow – amazing!
Egidio Leitao
Glad you liked it. I go by that place often. I’ll make a point to stop by and get new shots from time to time.
Rebecca Cuningham
Wonderful sculpture. Thanks for sharing.
Egidio Leitao
You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked the sculpture.
Steve Schwartzman
Wow, glad to hear about this. Your sunburst canopy photo shows it off well. It immediately reminded me (though it looks different) of the outdoor metal tree sculpture at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas [https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/42315].
Egidio Leitao
Glad you liked that. Thanks for the link to the other sculpture.
Johanna Bradley
These are fabulous, Egidio. I’m a fan xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Jo. xx
Sam.Rappen
Very interesting sculpture. I’d love to see it in the rain. I wonder how it will fare in a breeze… or a real wind? Hope you can take more photos of it under those conditions.
Egidio Leitao
Sam, I’ll keep that in mind. It’ll be interesting to photograph it when it freezes. It’ll look like a icicle tree.
photobyjohnbo
What an amazing artwork, Egidio! Smart plan to capture it in the golden hours. I can see why you like to photograph it, the composition possibilities are endless!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, John. As Margaret pointed out, the way it looks will vary with the season and time of day.
Wandering Dawgs
Wow! This is an amazing work of art and your images are stunning.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Beth.
margaret21
This seems like an intriguing piece which will go on giving however often you visit, according to the season and time of day. Thanks for taking us along!
Egidio Leitao
Very good point you make. Thanks.
tgeriatrix
A great work of art!
norasphotos4u
Very cool!!
Egidio Leitao
It’s a beautiful piece. Thanks, Nora.
Marie
The sunburst canopy is wonderful. Such an intriguing sculpture.
Egidio Leitao
Marie, it’s really intriguing and mesmerizing at the same time.
Anne Sandler
Great art piece!
Egidio Leitao
It’s very nice indeed. Thanks for the comment.
Writing to Freedom
Lovely photos and sculpture Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Brad.
Writing to Freedom
My pleasure.
bushboy
The photo from below is rather fabulous Egidio
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Brian. It was with waiting for that.