Weeping Willow Family Tree installed on RJ’s Urban Garden patio in Melfort

Inspired by Rob and his son Kaden’s work, Maga wanted a form of art in her establishment that would reflect the importance of family and she knew the duo could create something to do just that.

“He had a few ideas and he wanted to use this piece to be another contribution to his Weeping Willow series,” Maga said. “It is a beautiful piece, we are so happy to have it and for our customers to enjoy forever.”

The sculpture was installed on Wednesday and feedback within the first day was great according to Maga.

“It is an emotional piece for a lot people with the meaning that Rob has behind the series and a lot of people are just so touched by it,” Maga said.

The patio was added to the restaurant as a way to increase capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Another way Maga has expanded services is offering meals in the field during harvest.

There are some special features on the tree according to the artist behind it.

“Raianne gave me the initials of her family and I placed them on the tree in the bark so that makes it a family tree,” Jung said. “Another aspect of family is that I created it with my son, he did pretty much half of the work.”

A Weeping Willow Heart can also be seen on the tree, which is on each piece in the series of sculptures. The Weeping Willow Hearts were also sold as a fundraiser for North East Outreach Support Services (NEOSS). Jung is also spearheading an art auction for NEOSS this fall.

The total was 110 hours on the project, split between the two. Rob made the framework while Kaden made the smaller branches and cut the leaves out of stainless steel and old barbecue parts. There is approximately 1,500 leaves attached to little pieces of stainless steel clothes hangers which make the stems, on the branches of the tree.

Jung said his son has really expanded in the metal art field and has sold some of his own items as well.

Weeping Willow Addiction is the next large piece that Jung is planning to work on and will be another Weeping Willow angel depicting emotion toward addiction. Weeping Willow Disability was created over this past winter, and the series began with Weeping Willow in the meditation garden at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

An additional piece will be added to the tree at RJ’s which is being created by another local artist, Shannon Elder.

“Rob asked me to create a fairy to go with the tree so I am finishing that and it will be installed and be part of that tree in a couple of weeks,” Elder said.

Elder mostly works with wire and has created pieces like trees, pendants, figurines, and posable items and has been creating since 2017. She has also created four trees which she gave to her siblings as the branches in her tree of life.

Her latest project ‘Wonder’ is a glowing fairy tree that is located in Elder’s front yard in Melfort.

“There are more pieces to come. You know as a child you look at things different, and you have that sense of wonder where ordinary is magical,” Elder said. “I wanted to inspire that in people, to not lose your sense of wonder and look for the good.”

The Weeping Willow Family Tree is open to the public for viewing on the patio at RJ’s during operating hours, no purchase necessary. As a business owner in the trying times over the past six months, Maga said she wanted to show her gratitude to the community in another form.

As the Weeping Willow series by the father and son duo expands across the community, Maga said to have one of those on her patio is incredible.

“It is their intention to continue creating and it’s not only here, home in Melfort that these pieces will be, it will be across the country,” Maga said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

Weeping Willow Family Tree installed on RJ’s Urban Garden patio in Melfort

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