Art Funded by you

Tree of Life

Rachel Whiteread, 2011–2012

Whitechapel Gallery, London

This is the artist's first permanent public commission in the UK and covers the sculptural facade on the Whitechapel Gallery building. It features clusters of leaves, cast in bronze and plated in gold leaf, emblazoning the gallery's facade with shimmering foliage. The work was inspired by both the Tree of Life, an Arts and Crafts motif adorning the gallery's towers, and 'Hackney weed', the urban plants that grow on buildings in the area. A frieze was originally planned for the building when it opened in 1901 to embody the Gallery's public message – bringing great art to the people of London – but was never realised until this commission completed in 2012. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Tree of Life, 2011–2012

Date supported

2012

Medium and material

Bronze and gold leaf

Dimensions

Gallery façade: 23 x 8 m

Grant

200000

Total cost

392700

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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