Located in the palm grove entry of the Darwin Waterfront, is this work by Indonesian-born artist Dadang Christanto. The artist has used a tree symbol as a narration on the relationship between human beings and nature. It is designed to speak about the circle of life from birth to death, which both human beings and trees experience.

Inspiration was taken from Indonesian poet W.S. Rendra: ‘Sky outside, sky inside. United in the soul. Tragedy and fortune, is the same thing.’ 

Each hand is decorated with stainless steel elements symbolising various aspects of life and death. For example, birth is represented by dynamic leaf shapes, with designs of heads and faces looking towards the sky. Death is characterised in flame shapes, with designs of heads and faces looking towards the earth. The hands outstretched with open fingers are a statement of reconciliation, a well-recognised Australian symbol.