Edward James and his undisputed love for trees

Join us to discover this artist's love and passion for nature and trees.

By Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Snake heads at the door (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Nature as a shelter and inspiration

Nature was always an essential part of Edward James's life, so much that animals, plants, and landscapes had a primordial and constant space within his universe of inspiration, which lead to the creation of poems and several of his artistic works.

A postcard from Paris, Edward James, 1947/1984, From the collection of: Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Tree drawing, Edward James, 1947/1986, From the collection of: Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

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Among a variety of natural elements, trees aroused special interest in James, who decorated the envelopes of the letters he wrote and postcards he sent, with drawings of tree branches and leaves, in addition to evoking them in his writings.

Oak leaf (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Oak leaf

In one of his many postcards, sent in 1976 to Plutarquito, the eldest son of Plutarco Gastélum, James drew a sketch of an oak leaf, using it consequently as his personal symbol.

Pillars at Edward James studio (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Trees evoking inspiration

Many of his literary creations, including several poems and even his novel "The Gardener Who Saw God" refer and pay homage to these living beings.

List of shrubs and trees for the West Dean arboretum, Edward James, 1947/1984, From the collection of: Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

List of shrubs and trees for the West Dean arboretum, second page, Edward James, 1947/1984, From the collection of: Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

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In West Dean, the house where he lived most of his childhood, Edward James took on the task of planting trees of many species of his predilection for the creation of an arboretum, where he requested to be buried, after his death, surrounded by his beloved "woody giants".

Blue pillar and trees (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Respect for trees

In the Edward James Sculpture Garden, trees play a vital role in the construction of sculptures and structures, since many of them were built without cutting down, mistreating, or damaging these specimens. Several constructions were even adapted to the shape of the trees, surrounding them with special care and precision.

Leaf sculpture (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

Organic architecture

On the other hand, some of the Garden's sculptures were built to resemble the organic forms of the trees and vegetation. Leaves and concrete flowers accompany the paths that lead to the most secret places of this garden.

Looking up to the trees from the House of the Deer (1947/1984) by Edward JamesJardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

An Eden full of trees

In addition to representing them through his art, Edward James planted trees of various species on his ranch in Xilitla; there was one species that captivated him, the Telcon tree (Carpodiptera cubensis), which he called his "pet tree".

Credits: Story

Text from: Pedro and Elena Hernández Foundation CSO, 2019, unpublished work.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Jardín Escultórico Edward James, Las Pozas

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