WISHING TREES XXIII from the collection of Keith Achepohl

Wishing Trees XXIII

Keith Achepohl

WISHING TREES XXIII, n.d.

Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

23.5 x 11.25 x 3.5 in (59.69 x 28.58 x 8.89 cm)

Signature: K Achecpohl

Inv: 00459_WT

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Location: Private Collection

Sculpture is dichotomic in color variances on each side.
"The wishing trees of Turkey prompted the paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ... While wandering through Turkey, I often came upon sacred sites near mosques as well as roadside caves and small designated sites on trails where trees became bearers of wishes simply by being hung with strips of cloth torn from personal clothing.
The idea of an exvoto, a message carrier, a wish transmitter has been present in many cultures for centuries.
To see trees laden with pieces of cloth, talismans torn from the body in hope of a healing, of a grant giving, a forgiveness is to see layers of these wishes given to time to play with since the pieces of cloth are removed, transformed, disintegrate only be natural forces. I have seen tree branches so heavily laden they needed bracing as well as trees newly designated with only a few pieces of cloth attached.
It is hard to divorce the strip of cloth from the idea of a strip of skin and not sense the most potent meaning in the act of attachment to these trees. In summer the trees seem to bloom with the colorful cloth among the leaves. In winter the trees assume an altogether ethereal quality.
Most cultures seem to have had the need, the medium through which to hope, give thanks, seek help. The Turkish wishing tree provides a simple, eloquent means." Wishing Trees by Keith Achepohl

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From Keith Achepohl

Keith Achepohl

HOLY PARTICIPANTS, 1959

Copper plate; soft-ground intaglio

33 x 24 in (83.82 x 60.96 cm)
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30 x 11.5 x 5 in (76.2 x 29.21 x 12.7 cm)
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WISHING TREES XXII, n.d.

Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

25.75 x 11.25 x 3.5 in (65.41 x 28.58 x 8.89 cm)
WISHING TREES XXI, n.d.

Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

30 x 7.5 x 3.5 in (76.2 x 19.05 x 8.89 cm)
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WISHING TREES XVII, n.d.

Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

22 x 11.25 x 5.25 in (55.88 x 28.58 x 13.34 cm)
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Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

38.5 x 11 x 3.5 in (97.79 x 27.94 x 8.89 cm)
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WISHING TREES XXIV, n.d.

Oil on canvas; wood and brass tacks

23.25 x 11.25 x 3.5 in (59.06 x 28.58 x 8.89 cm)

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

HOLY PARTICIPANTS, 1959

WOMAN IN LANDSCAPE, n.d.

WISHING TREES XXIX, n.d.

WISHING TREES XXII, n.d.

WISHING TREES XXI, n.d.

WISHING TREES XVII, n.d.

WISHING TREES XXVIII GEMINI, n.d.

WISHING TREES XXIV, n.d.