New Art Installation Opening At The Cape Cod Museum Of Natural History

BREWSTER – A six-foot tree sculpture built entirely with handmade paper and featuring an inscription of Maya Angelou’s poem “On The Pulse Of Morning” is now on display at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History.

The interactive installation by Wellfleet artist Sheryl Jaffee, entitled “Good Morning,” was inspired by the message of Angelou’s poem, which became the guiding philosophy for the project: to treat each other, plants and trees with the dignity and respect that all life deserves.

Jaffe’s work is inspired by the world around her, particularly trees. Last September, Jaffe’s sculpture was on display at the Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cotuit. Patrons were encouraged to jot down their favorite tree on a piece of handmade paper shaped like leaves from native Cape Cod trees. The leaves were hung from the branches of the sculpture, adding a new layer to the piece. Natural history museum patrons will be encouraged to do the same.

 “Now that the tree has a new life at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, this collaborative project has become a tapestry of individual expressions, reflecting the community's diversity,” said Jaffe. “The installation is a collective artwork that celebrates our community’s personal experiences with trees.”

While Jaffe’s preferred medium is paper, the material is not endangering any trees. She makes her own paper with materials from plants such as mulberry bark, abaca, onion skin, iris leaves, seaweed and grass clippings. She studied traditional papermaking in Japan and China and has continued to teach the art at home and abroad. Her interest in fibers has led her to artist residencies at The Barn, Edward Albee Foundation and Yellowstone National Park. 

Jaffe wants viewers to realize the importance of caring for the environment and enriching the earth with native plantings. 

“My desire is to increase awareness (with fun activities) about the importance of caring for the environment, caring for each other and planting native trees and plants,” she said. “I’m interested in connecting with current environmental themes and the global conversation around conservation, and linking human health with the health of the environment.”

The installation will be available for viewing and participation during normal museum hours. Jaffe will also be teaching papermaking to kids attending the museum’s summer program. On April 23, she will be participating in a family day class at the museum as well. 

“I want to invite museum visitors to ‘breathe in,’ slow down and consider their relationship with trees,” she said.