Ola Cohn's Fairies' Tree
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
Tucked within the heart of Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens stands a living monument to imagination — a towering Red Gum tree adorned with the whimsical carvings of sculptor Ola Cohn, whose extraordinary artistic vision transformed a dying tree into an enduring Australian icon. Ola Cohn's Fairies' Tree chronicles the remarkable story of this beloved landmark, presenting the life and legacy of the artist who, from 1931 onwards, spent years hand-carving a fantastical menagerie of fairies, elves, and native animals into the ancient bark, creating a work of public art that has enchanted generations of Melburnians and visitors alike. With text by Sonja Dolander and stunning photography by Rick Buckingham, the book captures both the intricate detail of Cohn's carvings and the broader cultural significance of this unique sculptural achievement. A testament to the enduring power of art in public spaces, this work situates Ola Cohn within the broader tradition of Australian artistic heritage, illustrating how one woman's quiet dedication produced a work of profound community resonance. Dolander's prose is warm yet authoritative, drawing on historical research to paint a vivid portrait of an artist whose contributions to Australian culture have long deserved wider recognition. Buckingham's photography brings an intimacy to the carvings that rewards close inspection, revealing layers of craft and storytelling that are easily missed in passing — leaving the reader to wonder what other stories lie hidden just beneath the surface of the everyday world.
Author: Sonja Dolander
Format: Hardback
Genre: Australian history
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
Tucked within the heart of Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens stands a living monument to imagination — a towering Red Gum tree adorned with the whimsical carvings of sculptor Ola Cohn, whose extraordinary artistic vision transformed a dying tree into an enduring Australian icon. Ola Cohn's Fairies' Tree chronicles the remarkable story of this beloved landmark, presenting the life and legacy of the artist who, from 1931 onwards, spent years hand-carving a fantastical menagerie of fairies, elves, and native animals into the ancient bark, creating a work of public art that has enchanted generations of Melburnians and visitors alike. With text by Sonja Dolander and stunning photography by Rick Buckingham, the book captures both the intricate detail of Cohn's carvings and the broader cultural significance of this unique sculptural achievement. A testament to the enduring power of art in public spaces, this work situates Ola Cohn within the broader tradition of Australian artistic heritage, illustrating how one woman's quiet dedication produced a work of profound community resonance. Dolander's prose is warm yet authoritative, drawing on historical research to paint a vivid portrait of an artist whose contributions to Australian culture have long deserved wider recognition. Buckingham's photography brings an intimacy to the carvings that rewards close inspection, revealing layers of craft and storytelling that are easily missed in passing — leaving the reader to wonder what other stories lie hidden just beneath the surface of the everyday world.