Artwork copyright Neil McWee. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1994.

Tree Museum No. 1, 1993

Neil McWee
American (born 1957)

Location: Sheridan Elementary, Tacoma

About the Artwork

Tree Museum No. 1 is part of a series of photographs by Neil McWee, taken at the Arboretum (a garden specializing in trees) near the University of Washington in Seattle. This photograph presents a detailed patchwork of leaves, capturing the vivid colors of fall. The title is inspired by a line in Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" song: "They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum / Then they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em." McWee'sTree Museum series celebrates and advocates for the protection of state and national parks.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools.

About the Artist

Pacific Northwest photographer Neil McWee captures richly detailed images of the natural landscape.