Christmas Tree, 2000
© Catherine Yass
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In the middle of the Rotunda under the gallery's glass dome, Yass suspended a traditional, undecorated, fir tree which appeared to float about nine feet from the floor. A thin blue beam of neon light bisected the tree, running from the very top of the dome. The intensity of this glowing light appeared to increase as it passed through the tree and hit the marble floor below.

Biography:

Catherine Yass was born in 1963 in London. She studied at the Slade School of Art, London (1982-86) and then at Hochschule der Künste, Berlin (1984-85). After securing a Boise travelling scholarship (1986-87) she graduated with an MA from Goldsmiths College, London (1988-90). She was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 2002.

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