Notes

The prints, Tree and Leaf, relate to the opera ‘Waiting for the Sibyl’ performed at the Rome Opera House in September 2019. The sibyls were oracles in Ancient Greece who were able to prophesise through divine inspiration.

There is the story of the Cumean Sibyl, a prophetess. She would write people's fortunes or fates on oak leaves. The pile of oak leaves sat at the mouth of her cave. People would come to take the leaf on which was written their fate. But inevitably a wind would come up and swirl the leaves out of order, so one never knew if the leaf you had picked was your fate or not. (From the opera notes: Waiting for the Sybil)

Tree and Leaf by William Kentridge is a metaphor for the gathered fates.

Exclusive Preview of New William Kentridge Editions – Artist Proof Studio, accessed 17/03/23.