Bali Painters, Surya Suryata, Swiss Painter Bali, Contemporary Art

Surya’s Tree Sequence 2005-2006

"The Power and Beauty of Trees"

Trees existed long before humans and provide a unique holistic insight into our relationship with the land. In this time of increasing ecological awareness trees have become a symbol of our connection with Nature.

The tree, in fact, seems designed to parallel our own physical makeup. It is a smoothly operating system that never stops growing. Consequently, this magnificent antenna to the universe provides the ideal channel for interacting with higher planes of power.

As our planets oldest and largest living things, trees are Earth’s natural antennae to the universe. By their very presence, they command our attention and invite interaction. Like a trusted friend, a special tree can be a source of comfort and inspiration. Since the tree is the biggest plant on Earth and because it is so permanent, it is a unique manifestation of life on a very massive scale. Symbolically, trees represent the loftiest planes of the universe.

In his sequence “TREES” , Surya Suryata j. intents to let the viewer participate with his own experience with trees. As a child growing up on a farm in the suburb of Berne/Switzerland, he often walked in the forests and believed to share with trees a wondrous destiny for growth and greatness. By simply walking through it, he could draw from its rich repository of energy to empower the mind, body, and spirit.

He discovered early in life that certain trees can call out to us, inviting us to engage their energies and share their powers. In this wonderful nature, there was hardly a tree he did not climb – his special love was a giant cherry tree, where he did not only enjoy sweet and rich tastes of the ripe fruits but also felt that he may have existed as a tree in a past life. Perhaps it was important to his growth to know what it was like to be embodied in a tree - if not for a full lifetime, for at least a brief interval between past lifetimes. Or if not as a tree, possibly as some other non-human life form.

"Poems and paintings are made by fools like me,
but only the energies can make a tree."

"Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit."
( Khalil Gibran )

There are two trees, each yielding its own fruit. One of them is negative....it grows from lack of self-worth and its fruits are fear, anger, envy, bitterness, sorrow - and any other negative emotion. Then there is the tree of positive emotions. Its nutrients include self-forgiveness and a correct self concept. Its fruits are love, joy, acceptance, self-esteem, faith, peace... and other uplifting emotions."
( Kathi's Garden )

"Time-honored, beautiful, solemn and wise. Noble, sacred and ancient Trees reach the highest heavens and penetrate the deepest secrets of the earth. Trees are the largest living beings on this planet. Trees are in communion with the spiritual and the material. Trees guard the forests and the sanctified places that must not be spoiled. Trees watch over us and provide us with what we need to live on this planet. Trees provide a focal point for meditation, enlightenment, guidance and inspiration. Trees have a soul and a spirit."
( Lavenderwater)

"A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love."
( Basil )

"May my life be like a great hospitable tree, and may weary wanderers find in me a rest."
( John Henry Jowett )