Christmas Forest, 1996
© Julian Opie
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Julian Opie decided not simply to decorate a tree, but to create a whole forest by constructing a number of model trees. Opie fabricated trees for his shows over the preceding year, so the theme was already present in his work.

The Christmas trees were constructed from two intersecting planes of wood; they are highly stylised yet their serrated outline makes them instantly recognisable as fir trees. Viewed individually, they resemble oversize children's toys. As a groupe they are more mysterious, drawing the viewer into an interior space, evoking the idea of a forest.

The commission was supported by the Patrons of New Art

Biography

Julian Opie was born in 1958 in London, where he currently lives and works. He attended Goldsmith's School of Art in London from 1979-82.

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