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A Troubled Tree site specific window Installation, 56-60 Dublin Rd, Belfast. 1994. Funded by The Arts Council Northern Ireland.

The inspiration for 'a troubled tree' came after the August 1993 bombing of the Dublin Road. The device caused extensive damage to commercial property; and to a number of mature lime trees lining the road. On one particular tree, situated opposite the gallery, all the leaves were blown off. The tree was effectively blown into a premature winter by the force of the blast.

Almost immediately the buildings were re-built, during this time of reconstructing a wooden wall was placed around the damaged buildings. Spray painted onto this barrier was the text: 'Danger', 'Keep Out', 'Stay Away'. Dunsmore reproduced these words on the white walls of the street level gallery space. Referring not only to the text found across the street, but also to the attitude of the public to galleries & art. White labels were pinned on top of the text, hand printed with a leaf motif. Air fans constantly stirred the labels.

At that time of the installation, 3,600 people had lost their lives due to the 'Troubles'. The use of white labels - which resembling body tags - and the hand printed leaves represents how these acts of violence effect both human lives and the environment.

Reflection of the damaged tree in the window of the installation

Detail of one section of the text 'STAY CLEAR, KEEP OUT, DANGER, Fan sited in center of window moving air flow back and forth across printed labels.