The Tree of Life, 1965
Walnut
Height 4,9 m × diameter 2,1 m
Location: Lionel-Groulx metro station, mezzanine

The Tree of Life
In context, with mural by Yves Roy

This grand work was originally created for the entrance to Expo 67. It was given to the City of Montreal by the United Nations and, like another work created for Expo, was later moved to the metro.

Carved into the trunk of a single 150-year-old walnut tree, the graceful and austere sculpture shows five faces, gaunt men with serious expressions, representing the "five races of man" from the five continents of America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, springing from a common root. Its message of common humanity perfectly illustrated the ideals of Expo.

Seen another way, the bare tree towering above the mottled red and yellow of the station's floor and the grey of its walls adds to the autumnal atmosphere of the station.


Joseph Rifesser sculpting The Tree of Life	Joseph Rifesser at Expo with The Tree of Life

Plaque The Tree of Life
Sculpture in ancient walnut by Joseph Rifesser
representing the great human families
springing from a common stock
and peopling the world of Man
Gift of Mr. Peter Casson
Commissioner General of the United Nations
upon the World's Fair of 1967

Images arbre-sculpting.jpg and arbre-expo.jpg courtesy of the artist.