Zoe Leonard
Tree + Fence, E. 6th St. (close up)
1998
Gelatin silver print
Courtesy Collection Deborah Ronnen

In 1994, Leonard began living part-time in Alaska.  After returning home to New York City, she began to notice the natural environment of the city in a new way.  With a new perspective on the relationship between human and natural landscapes, Leonard began to photograph trees in the city that were growing into and around metal fences.  This image is from that series, Tree + Fence series.  The tree is constrained or even imprisoned by the fence, but it continues to grow and push against this seemingly immoveable barrier.

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