Dylan Moore, Hyphae I (WORLD 2024)

Photos:

Dylan Moore

Country:

Canada

Video tour:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0186zQguo5/

Hyphae I, is a sculpture that I was commissioned to make in 2023 for the entrance hallway in one of my client’s homes. This piece is named after the ‘Hyphae’ which are the long, branching filaments of a fungus. It is made by using techniques such as stack laminated glue-ups, free form bent-laminations, and hand carving. It is 90” tall by 40” wide. As far as I can remember I’ve always been drawn to tree roots. Ever since I was a kid I used to venture into my forest looking for uprooted trees so I could examine and study their massive root systems. I was so intrigued by the contrast between the visible majesty of a tree’s canopy and the hidden, equally majestic world of its roots. This unseen part of the tree plays such a crucial role in its life, yet it’s often overlooked, hidden from the world above. As I got older I read a book called ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ by Peter Wohlleben that completely changed my life. It introduced me to the discovery of Mycelium (the underground fungal network) and its symbiotic relationship to trees. This mysterious, hidden world below the soil became infinitely more fascinating to me. My sculptural work is massively influenced by this hidden world. It is my attempt to recreate that feeling of awe and wonder that I felt as a kid in my forest. I aim to capture the symbiosis and fluid movement of the roots and mycelia as they navigate through the soil.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.