Penny Otto

by Penny Otto

Ficus of Parable and Fable

For me, the sight of the beautiful fig tree of ancient and exotic lineage at the bottom of my garden never fails to flick the pages of history in my mind. Visions of glowing sands, bright skies and people in flowing robes; and to world religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism it symbolizes fertility, peace and prosperity in its hundreds of different species. Indeed cultures across Asia, the tropics and sub-tropics have adopted the fig tree as a place of power and prayer expressed in creation stories and folklore.

Note; I uplifted the words above from my own dialogue published in an exhibition catalogue for group show “Symbolica” mounted in Studio One Toi Tū in 2020.

Before Sugar

Before sugar was available figs were used as sweet substitutes.

The miraculously aged tree at the bottom of our garden was here when we bought the place over fifty years ago.

Waterfall

There is an enchanted garden in Pukekoe,  South Auckland, where this painting composed itself with lotus fowers at the bottom, and papyrus plants which are a favourite of mine alongside a tall waterfall.

Not until I was able to literally throw some paint (gifted by a friend) at this work do I feel I have found its dramatic finish.