Photographer Kathryn Cook explores the enduring legacy of the Armenian Genocide in her exhibit, Memory of Trees. During her periodic 7-year journey through Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Armenia, Israel and France, Cook captures intimate images of people and places where consequences of the Genocide are still evident despite the passing of time and attempts to erase all memories. Her images of silence and absence are juxtaposed with the discovery of Ağaçlı, the now-Kurdish village that has revived the silk growing and weaving tradition in memory of the Armenians. The collection of photographs – the land, the trees, the descendants too fearful to publicly claim Armenian ancestry – all stand witness to the Genocide.
Trees of Memory was on exhibit at SOMArts Cultural Center during the month of April and at San Francisco City Hall on April 24. The exhibit was sponsored by the San Francisco-Bay Area Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee.
This artist profile was produced by independent filmmakers Gwen R. Essegian and Mark Ligon.
