Mary Hrbacek

Metamorphoses: The World Tree Series


Inspired by the metaphors of transformation in Roman poet Ovid's work, The Metamorphoses, my new group of drawings and paintings, The World Tree Series, is suffused with feelings of revelation and regeneration evoked by anthropomorphic trees I have found in my travels. I have been drawing trees for ten years, while also working from the live model. Gradually the human physique and tree limbs merged in my psyche, fusing human and tree anatomy into deconstructed tree forms.

The deconstructed forms disclose an imaginative perception of them as a refuge and a sanctuary. The trees reconfigure to reveal dark monarchs, monsters, entwined figures, animals, body parts and facial features. I expand the dramatic potential of the images, eliminating naturalistic references. The finely honed shapes are placed with an eye toward activating the picture surface, transposing edgy, metaphoric images into psychic domain that emphasizes life's multiple meanings and motifs.

The unity of all life is accentuated as the varied personas within us and in our networks of relationships reveals their correspondence to mysterious affinities in the tree configurations. By realizing that nature's constant state of flux reflects the variability in human existence, we can more readily reconcile ourselves to life's true changing character.

For reviews of Hrbacek's work please click:  "Vibrant and Varied Works on Paper"; "Entwined": "Trees with Personality""Charcoal and Thread":

Artist Work
Moving Up
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2710 USD

Artist Work
Gingerman
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2650 USD

Artist Work
Split Decision
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2650 USD

Artist Work
Open Heart
39 in x 30 in
charcoal on paper

$2600 USD

Artist Work
Portuguese
39 in x 30 in
charcoal on paper

$2600

unframed

Artist Work
Moving On III
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2710 USD

Artist Work
Master of the Universe
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2650 USD

Artist Work
Horse Sense
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2650 USD

Artist Work
Torso
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2710 USD

Artist Work
Bone Structure
42 in x 30 in
charcoal on paper

$2600 USD

unframed

Artist Work
Monster
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2710 USD

Artist Work
Multi-faceted
30 in x 22 in
charcoal on paper

$2650 USD

Artist Work
Split Decision
44 in x 40 in
acrylic on linen

$3080 USD

Artist Work
A Secret
38 in x 30 in
acrylic on linen

$2840 USD