Celery Root 1992

Evan Summer's print portrays a celery root, a humble subject, yet rendered with a detailed and almost unsettling intensity. The root, with its gnarled texture and spindly tendrils, is a symbol of the earth itself. Consider the enduring motif of roots in art and mythology. From the Tree of Life, deeply rooted in the earth connecting heaven and the underworld, to depictions of gnarled, ancient trees symbolizing wisdom, the symbolism of roots runs deep in our collective consciousness. Even in the Laocoön group, the snakes emerge from the depths, from below, an earthly terror. This work stirs in me the deep-seated fear and fascination with what lies beneath. It brings to mind the atavistic fear of being buried alive. The root, then, becomes not merely a botanical specimen, but a potent symbol of mortality, change, and a reminder of the hidden forces that shape our lives. It's a cycle, a constant return to the earth, evoking a powerful emotional response.