Artist's Insight
My father David Joules (25/02/1934 - 17/02/2024), was a lifelong member of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) and held dear as a mantra the RSA motto “A Lifetime of Learning”.
The 'Tree of Life' is an expression of this made from a 20 million year old fossilised tree. The leaves of the tree are all the coins minted in the year of my father’s birth in 1934 under the reign of King George V and have as many experiences and have met as many people as my father “Davey”.
Based on demand, not all values of coins are issued each year, and in 1934 the Florin was not issued in the UK but instead New Zealand, representing Davey’s longest friendship with his fellow student Architect John Sexton who resided in New Zealand for the majority of his adult life.
As innocence diminishes, so does wisdom continually increase, “A Lifetime Of Learning”. The Bronze coins reflect the value of innocence with the face value of the coins diminishing as they climb the tree. The Silver (50%) coins increase in face value reflecting the growth of wisdom throughout our lives.
Charity: Prostate Cancer UK, 'Davey' always faced his Cancer full on, proudly wearing his "Prostate Man" pin, transferring it daily to whatever outfit he is wearing on that day to draw the attention and conversation of others to highlight the condition and the need for awareness. Prostate Cancer UK fully supported him throughout.
Materials: 20 million year old Fossilised Wood, British Coins Minted in 1934 (Bronze: Penny/ Farthing/ Half Penny - Silver: Sixpence/ Threepence/ Florin (New Zealand)/ Shilling/ Half Crown, Granite, my inspirational father and best friend 'Davey'.
Size: Tbc
Weight: Tbc
