The Last Tree - Babs Reingold

The Last Tree, an installation by artist Babs Reingold takes on social issues within the context of environment, beauty, and poverty. As the artist states: 

“Growing up, my family frequently moved, country-to-country, dwelling-to-dwelling, including a stay in public housing. I was unable to save few if any of the things I cherished. This fostered a need to create my own reality with my own objects, however temporary.

Constructing installations verifies existence; validates the “who” of whom I am. The destruction and ensuing poverty caused by Katrina, then hearing Jared Diamond and his description of the infamous Easter Island devastation, inspired this installation. I am fascinated by man’s greed and lack of foresight that, in turn, causes his ultimate demise; self-absorption to self-destruction.

It was this thinking --- survival versus extinction, whether in environment, beauty, poverty, ---- that helped turn me from painting to owning space with installations. This challenge inspires the work, just as does the day-to-day delight of working with my hands and with various materials. Time is still another factor. The two-plus years in the making of The Last Tree speaks to the physical manifestation of time, and in itself rewards the effort.” [...]

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.