The Artwork of the Month's activity and label focus on a single work in the Walker's collection and provide entertaining art experiences for young people. You can see an activity with the ArtsConnectEd image viewer or download the PDF file to your computer. Use the Prev/Next buttons to move between images of the PDF and the actual file.

About the Artwork

David Nash skillfully transforms trees into works of art. With great concern for preserving nature and the environment, he uses only wood from trees that have fallen, been uprooted, or need to be cut in order to open space for new forest growth. Nash doesn’t waste any part of the trees. He even makes charcoal for his drawings from tiny twigs and scraps. Instead of dramatically changing the wood’s natural form, he carefully studies the shapes of branches to see how he might use them in a sculpture.

The artist constructed Standing Frame from two white oaks found near Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Nash arranged the stripped branches and trunk into an open square frame supported by three legs. He charred the surface black with a torch and coated it with oil and turpentine to help protect his outdoor sculpture from wear and tear caused by Minnesota weather.